Seongdong-gu Supports 30% Increase in Air Conditioner Electricity Fees for Apartment Maintenance Workers (Security Guards)

[Seoul District News] Seongdong-gu to Support Up to 20,000 KRW per Month per Air Conditioner During This Year’s Heatwave, Enabling Use Without Electricity Cost Worries... Seocho-gu to Provide Window Air Conditioners to 100 Elderly Living Alone Households

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) will increase support for air conditioner electricity bills for apartment complex managers and cleaners by 30% compared to last year.

The amount supported during the heatwave months of July and August is up to 20,000 KRW per air conditioner per month, totaling approximately 24 million KRW, which is a 30% increase from last year's 15,000 KRW.

In addition to apartments, apartment complexes with 20 or more households that have air conditioners installed in managers' and cleaners' workspaces and rest facilities are also included in the support, allowing them to operate air conditioners comfortably without worrying about electricity costs.

So far, the district has allocated an annual budget of 1.4 billion KRW since 2020 through a support project for the renovation of aging common facilities in apartment complexes, making it one of the highest budgets among Seoul's autonomous districts.

In particular, from 2021 to this year, the "Manager and Cleaner Workspace Improvement Project" has been designated as a leading project. Following an additional support of 66 million KRW to 31 apartment complexes last year, this year 47 million KRW will be provided to 26 complexes to actively improve working environments. As of last month, 500 air conditioners have been installed in 598 manager workspaces and rest facilities, surpassing an 83% installation rate.

To address cases where some residents oppose the operation of air conditioners due to concerns about increased common electricity bills despite having air conditioners, the district established a related ordinance to provide grounds for supporting heating and cooling facility operating costs. In July 2021, Seongdong-gu enacted the first-ever ordinance in the nation on the protection and promotion of human rights for apartment complex managers and others, ensuring their practical rights are guaranteed.

Additionally, this year, labor, legal, and psychological counseling services, which were previously only available to Seongdong-gu residents, will be extended to managers and cleaners. Legal consultations on employment insecurity and human rights violations, as well as psychological counseling for depression, will be provided to actively protect the rights of essential workers.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, "We have increased the electricity bill support for air conditioners so that managers can comfortably cool off during the summer heat. As we are gradually changing perceptions of essential workers through the improvement of the title 'manager,' we will also actively promote related policies to ensure their practical protection."

Seocho-gu has rolled up its sleeves to help vulnerable elderly residents spend a healthy and safe summer amid the heatwave.

First, the district will install window-type air conditioners (photo) by the end of this month for 100 single elderly households living in poor housing conditions such as semi-basements and rooftop rooms who must endure the summer heat.

This project is part of the "Seocho-gu Safe Home Project," which aims to improve the housing environment for elderly people vulnerable to extreme heat and cold. The project budget was selected last year under the Ministry of Environment's "2022 Climate Change Vulnerable Group Support Project" and received national and local government funding.

Window-type air conditioners do not require a separate outdoor unit due to their design and consume low power, making electricity costs relatively affordable and reducing financial burdens.

Also, care workers called life support staff will visit elderly residents who have difficulty operating the air conditioners to assist with operation and inspection.

The district received recommendations for low-income single elderly households such as basic livelihood security recipients and near-poverty groups through community service centers by early June this year.

In addition, the district is providing indoor environment improvement services such as replacing old windows with double-glazed windows for 10 elderly households with poor housing conditions. Replacing old windows with double glazing is expected to block heat inflow during heatwaves and maintain indoor temperature, creating a comfortable indoor environment.

Previously, the district provided heatwave essential item packages, including heatwave health guidelines, to 1,210 single elderly people in need of care. The items included summer health foods, cooling bedding, dehumidifiers, mosquito repellents, vitamins, and dental masks.

Moreover, IoT devices are installed in about 380 elderly households to monitor temperature, humidity, movement, and other living data within the home, ensuring 24-hour safety checks.

Along with this, life support staff check the safety of single elderly people who need care during heatwaves daily by phone or visits and send text messages with health guidelines and heat-related illness prevention tips.

Cheon Jeong-wook, Acting Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, "This project will help elderly residents overcome the hot summer and we will spare no effort to support their healthy living."