Seoul City to Open Applications for 'Hope House Repair' Starting Next Month

Recruiting 600 Households with Income Below 60% of Median Standard

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Seoul City will provide repair costs support for low-income households that have poor living conditions due to aging or flooding but could not afford home repairs. Starting this year, not only has the support amount per household increased, but construction items for safety and ventilation facilities to prepare for flooding and fire have also been added.

Seoul City announced on the 21st that it will recruit 600 households to participate in the "Hope Home Repair" project, which improves poor living conditions for low-income families, for one month starting from the 1st of next month. Households wishing to repair their homes can apply through their local community service center by the 28th of next month.

Households with a standard median income of 60% or less, whether homeowners or renters, can apply, and among those meeting the income requirements, semi-basement households will be given priority in the final selection of support recipients.

For homeowners, applicants must be residing in the relevant house to apply, and households with a standard median income of 47% or less are recipients of repair maintenance benefits and thus are not eligible for support. Also, support is only provided for cases classified as "housing" under the Housing Act; quasi-housing such as goshiwon (small dormitory rooms) or unauthorized buildings cannot apply.

The supported home repair items include wallpapering, flooring replacement, window replacement, ceiling repair, mold removal, totaling 17 types. Considering the severe damage caused by flooding in semi-basements due to last year’s heavy rain, "flood prevention, safety, and ventilation facilities" have been newly added as repair items targeting semi-basement houses.

Furthermore, the support amount, which was up to 1.2 million KRW per household until last year, has been adjusted to 1.8 million KRW starting this year. The city decided to increase the support amount reflecting last year’s satisfaction survey results from participating households and the rise in material and labor costs due to inflation.

Seoul City plans to select home repair project execution agencies through a public contest in February so that construction can begin as soon as the selection of eligible households is completed. The plan is to select companies that not only have expertise in home repair but also understand the conditions of each house and household and sympathize with the project’s purpose of improving living environments.

Households wishing to improve their living environment through the "Hope Home Repair" project can visit their local community service center to fill out and submit the application documents. After screening in March, the final target households will be selected, and full-scale repairs are expected to begin as early as April.

Meanwhile, besides "Hope Home Repair," Seoul City also provides the "Single-Person Household Housing Management Service" to support stable housing for single-person households. Households with a standard median income of 120% or less can receive the service, and applications can be made by contacting the Residential Safety Comprehensive Center in each autonomous district.

Yuchangsoo, Director of Seoul City Housing Policy Office, said, "Through the 'Hope Home Repair' project, the homes of low-income households living in poor conditions have become much more comfortable and safe," adding, "We will continue to strive to enhance the quality of life for housing-vulnerable groups and ensure safe living by expanding the housing safety net."