Seongdong-gu Launches Support to Identify Vulnerable Groups in Semi-basements and Rooftop Rooms

Dong Welfare and Safety Council with 150 Members Visits Target Households to Identify Welfare and Safety Risk Families
Smart Check-ins for Socially Isolated and At-Risk of Solitary Death Households, Housing Environment Improvement Projects for Safety-Vulnerable Groups... Last Year, Welfare and Safety Surveys and Safety Education Conducted for 2,812 Households, Connecting 412 Care and Housing Support Services

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) is anticipating climate disasters due to abnormal weather this year and has begun identifying vulnerable households living in semi-basements, rooftop rooms, and goshiwon, which are susceptible to heatwaves, to seek proactive response measures.

Accordingly, the Dong Welfare and Safety Council in Seongdong-gu plans to identify vulnerable residents susceptible to summer heatwaves, assess the living conditions of smart care recipients, and establish a rapid response system for more accurate monitoring and emergency preparedness.

The Dong Welfare and Safety Council operates as part of the “Smart Welfare and Safety Secure Fence Project” and consists of a resident organization of 150 members, with up to 10 members per dong (neighborhood).

Prior to this, on the 4th, the district appointed new committee members and conducted capacity-building training to identify socially isolated households.

Last year, from October to the end of the year, 2,812 households were visited for welfare and safety surveys and safety education. As a result of the visits, safety supplies such as home fire extinguishers and air purifiers were provided to 1,207 households considered vulnerable, and 412 cases of care and housing support services were linked and supported.

This year, welfare and safety surveys and safety education will focus on rooftop households, care households using smart devices, and households suspected of crisis through the welfare blind spot detection system. Customized integrated services will be provided to those confirmed as welfare and safety crisis households based on the survey results.

First, for households at risk of social isolation and solitary death, emotional care will be supported through dedicated personnel such as the Our Neighborhood Care Team, and they will be registered as smart check-in targets using AI and IoT technologies for continuous monitoring to prepare for emergencies.

Additionally, safety-vulnerable groups will receive support for replacing and installing outdated lights and window screens, and safety supplies such as gas timers will be provided. For housing-vulnerable households such as those in rooftop rooms, a housing environment improvement project will be promoted through public-private cooperation to create a safe living environment.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, "This year, Seongdong-gu ranked first among Seoul’s autonomous districts in the inclusion index evaluation reflecting social conflicts and perspectives on the vulnerable, which I believe is thanks to the significant role played by the Dong Welfare and Safety Council." He added, "We will continue our efforts to create a happy and inclusive city Seongdong where no one is left behind."