[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (District Mayor Kim Yi-gang) has decided to urgently support heating costs for 100 social welfare facilities within the district, becoming the first among the five autonomous districts to do so.
According to Seo-gu on the 30th, this heating cost support comes as a proactive measure to assist social welfare facilities excluded from government and Gwangju City support amid record-breaking cold waves and energy price hikes causing a 'heating cost bomb' that increases the livelihood burden on vulnerable groups during winter.
Previously, the government decided to increase energy voucher support amounts and city gas discount rates for vulnerable groups during winter, and Gwangju City also provides heating cost support to families raising children under five, daycare centers, senior centers, and long-term care institutions.
In response, Seo-gu will additionally support social welfare facilities, which are blind spots in heating cost assistance, to establish a seamless welfare safety net.
Furthermore, heating costs will be supported for two months based on the previous month's increase rate for 100 social welfare facilities, including 33 locations such as communal living homes for the disabled, day care centers, vocational rehabilitation facilities, as well as elderly living facilities, local children's centers, and comprehensive social welfare centers.
The total expected support amount is approximately 50 million KRW, and Seo-gu plans to provide differential support ranging from a minimum of 300,000 KRW to 2 million KRW depending on the facility size.
Seo-gu also plans to provide repair services up to 100,000 KRW for households in need of heating equipment repairs, such as boiler breakdowns, among care households within the district.
Kim Yi-gang, Mayor of Seo-gu, said, "In this record-breaking cold wave, we will carefully monitor to ensure that no neighbor in need of help is left behind through public-private cooperation, and build a dense, field-centered welfare safety net."
He added, "Seo-gu's welfare policy aims to realize 'living welfare' that allows everyone from young children to the elderly to live a dignified life, and we will do our best to build a dense and robust social safety net."
Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho baekok@asiae.co.kr
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
