Completion of Seongsu-dong Semi-basement House Repair Store No.1 in Seongdong-gu

Seongdong-gu Completes the First ‘Hyosarang Home Repair’ for Housing-Vulnerable Groups

The First Customized Hyosarang Home Repair for Semi-Underground Housing Vulnerable Households in a Seoul Autonomous District Completed

In Collaboration with Habitat Korea, Considering Health and Safety... Rent Frozen for 5 Years to Ensure Practical Housing Stability

Seongdong-gu Panorama

Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) has completed the first ‘Hyosarang Home Repair’ targeting semi-underground houses in Seongsu-dong.

‘Hyosarang Home Repair’ is a unique project by Seongdong-gu that improves the living environment tailored to residents by addressing health and safety issues in semi-underground houses inhabited by housing-vulnerable groups.

Starting in September 2022, Seongdong-gu conducted a full survey of semi-underground houses in the area for three months. Ahead of the full rainy season, by the end of June this year, the district provided flood prevention facilities such as flood barriers, backflow prevention devices, and operable security windows to 1,679 semi-underground households, making every effort to prevent flooding.

Additionally, among the semi-underground households rated as vulnerable in safety from the survey, the project collaborated with Habitat Korea to implement the senior citizen-tailored ‘Hyosarang Home Repair’ for single elderly recipients of basic living subsidies residing in semi-underground houses in Seongsu-dong.

The selected elderly resident’s home lacked a washbasin in the bathroom, causing significant inconvenience. Through this home repair, a new washbasin, toilet, and smart ventilation fan were installed. Furthermore, sturdy window frames were added, and exterior wall insulation work was carried out to improve energy efficiency. Given the semi-underground nature of the house, flood barriers, operable security windows, and flood and fire alarms were installed to prepare for flooding as well as fire and other safety accidents.

Home repairs were also carried out inside the elderly resident’s home to facilitate mobility. Non-slip tiles were laid, and safety handrails were installed near the toilet. Habitat Korea, Korea’s leading nonprofit housing improvement organization, utilized its 30 years of construction expertise to complete the installation quickly.

Along with the completion of the first Hyosarang Home Repair, Seongdong-gu signed a win-win agreement with landlords and Habitat Korea to freeze tenants’ rent for five years, ensuring housing rights and contributing to the practical housing stability of vulnerable groups.

Mr. Yoo, an 80-year-old elderly resident who participated in this Hyosarang Home Repair, shared his thoughts: “At first, I was worried because I had a lot of belongings and felt burdened to leave the house for a long time. Now, I am very happy to be able to live in my home, transformed into a new house, for five years.”

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, “The first Hyosarang Home Repair to assist housing-vulnerable people has been completed. I am grateful to Habitat Korea for their dedication and willingness to extend a helping hand, sharing our vision for the Seongdong-type housing environment improvement project.” He added, “We will continue to carefully monitor and support the housing stability of our residents.”