Ddaddeuthan Donghaeng Launches Housing Convenience Support Project for Low-Income Disabled with Seoul City

Warm Companion, in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is recruiting beneficiaries for the "2023 Seoul Low-Income Disabled Housing Convenience Support Project," which provides customized spatial welfare tailored to the characteristics of disabilities for low-income disabled individuals.

Funded by the Lottery Fund, this project has significantly expanded the number of beneficiary households from 100 to 290. Applications can be submitted by visiting the administrative welfare center in charge of the applicant's address until March 31. Eligibility includes low-income disabled individuals residing in Seoul, basic livelihood security recipients, near-poverty households, and households with a median income between 50% and 65% (with a 30% personal contribution for renovation costs). For rental households, the homeowner must consent to the construction permit and agree to at least one year of residence.

Selected beneficiaries will receive customized spatial welfare reflecting their disability characteristics, including the installation of safety handrails, ramps, removal of thresholds, bathroom improvements, and, if necessary, energy efficiency enhancements to address the climate crisis and soaring heating costs.

A survey conducted on beneficiaries who received support last year showed that satisfaction with the living environment before home renovation was 1.86 points (on a 7-point Likert scale), which significantly improved to 6.86 points after the support.

Ms. Hong Dambi (pseudonym), 45, with a physical disability, who received support last year, shared, "The lowered thresholds and wider doors have made it easier to move around the house in a wheelchair." Meanwhile, Ms. Kim Eunhee (pseudonym), 51, a mother raising a child with developmental disabilities, expressed her gratitude, saying, "My child loves playing in the bathtub, and thanks to the installation of anti-slip tiles in the bathroom, mold removal, and bathtub replacement, we can now enjoy bath time safely and hygienically."

Gyeong Ja-in, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Disabled Independence Support Division, stated, "We expect many people in need to participate as we expand the project to 290 households this year to provide more benefits to disabled individuals residing in Seoul."

Meanwhile, Warm Companion, which creates a warm world without disabilities, was established in 2010 as a purely non-profit organization conducting domestic and international spatial welfare support for disabled individuals, advanced assistive device support, job creation and volunteer activities, and international development cooperation.