Yeongdeungpo-gu Strengthens Safety Net for Homeless and Ssokbang Residents

Special Protection for Vulnerable Groups Across Yeongdeungpo from Nov 15, 2023 to Mar 15, 2024... Patrol and Street Counseling Teams Provide Homeless Support, Emergency Shelter, Winter Supplies... Dec 14, 2023 District Mayor's On-Site Inspection, Listening to Various Difficulties, Emphasizing Safety Management

Choi Ho-kwon, Yeongdeungpo District Mayor (center), is meeting with a homeless person at Yeongdeungpo Station (left) to listen to their difficulties.

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) is taking thorough measures to protect homeless people and residents of gosiwon (small, cheap rooms) against the winter cold wave.

The district has been dedicated to preventing safety accidents, providing protection, and supporting self-reliance for homeless people and gosiwon residents by establishing the first-ever Homeless Support Team (currently the Self-Reliance Support Team) in the nation. In particular, the Homeless Street Counseling Team, operating since 2006, has been leading various protective activities for homeless people in crisis on the streets.

From November 15, 2023, to March 15, 2024, the district is implementing special winter protection measures for homeless people and gosiwon residents throughout Yeongdeungpo.

First, the district will focus patrols around Yeongdeungpo Station, gosiwon villages, under the Seoul Bridge, and around Yoido Full Gospel Church. The patrol team will conduct ▲homeless counseling ▲linkage to emergency shelters (emergency relief rooms, emergency gosiwons) ▲hygiene management ▲distribution of cold-weather supplies (hot packs, gloves, socks, etc.).

Especially, the Homeless Street Counseling Team, consisting of 18 members, will maintain a 24-hour, three-shift work system to prepare for the winter cold wave.

As the cold weather increases the risk of cold-related illnesses and death among street homeless people, the district has established a close cooperation system with related organizations (police, fire department, homeless welfare facilities, etc.) to respond promptly in emergencies.

Additionally, the district is promoting ▲fire prevention measures related to the use of heating devices during winter ▲disinfection and regular safety inspections of homeless welfare facilities targeting homeless people and gosiwon residents.

On the 14th of last month, Yeongdeungpo District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon visited homeless-dense areas and gosiwon villages to inspect the site for cold wave preparedness and listen to the difficulties faced by vulnerable groups regarding health, meals, heating, and safety. He also visited the Hope Support Center to review its operation status and urged thorough safety management for vulnerable groups.

Mayor Choi Ho-kwon of Yeongdeungpo-gu stated, “During the cold winter, we will carefully manage various protection measures for street homeless people and gosiwon residents and strengthen the community safety net. We also ask the citizens to show great interest so that our neighbors in need can have a warm winter.”