Nowon-gu Ends Operation of Nighttime Heat Shelter Safe Accommodations

The First Nationwide Operation Started in 2018, Now Benchmarked Across the Country
Providing Cool Hotel Stays for Elderly in Housing Vulnerable Groups Without Air Conditioning
'Nowon-gu - Accommodation Businesses - Local Volunteers' Jointly Created Nighttime Heat Relief Shelter

Nowon-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that the 'Senior Nighttime Heat Shelter Safety Accommodation' project, which was operated for the past two months, has been successfully completed with high satisfaction.

The district signed an agreement with Film 37.2 Hotel, a local accommodation facility, to protect seniors in vulnerable housing conditions (such as small rooms, goshiwon, semi-basements) without air conditioning from the heatwave.

Accordingly, when a heatwave advisory was issued (excluding Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays), 30 hotel rooms were provided to seniors vulnerable to heatwaves.

Starting with 11 seniors staying on July 11, when the first heatwave advisory was issued since July, approximately 30 seniors were provided with a total of 418 rooms over 24 days.

According to a survey conducted among safety accommodation users, 100% of the seniors responded that using the safety accommodation helped them avoid the heat. Most expressed that they were able to rest comfortably and pleasantly in the safety accommodation, which also helped their health.

Additionally, more than 95% of the seniors responded that the hotel accommodation was clean and comfortable, and they were generally very satisfied with the responses from hotel staff, volunteers, and district office personnel.

In particular, one senior expressed gratitude, saying, "Usually, I avoided the heat by using subway station waiting rooms or parks, but at night I could use the hotel and rest comfortably."

The nighttime heat shelter safety accommodation, which started in the Nowon-gu district office auditorium for seniors in vulnerable housing without air conditioning, has now been upgraded to comfortable and pleasant lodging facilities and is being successfully operated, serving as a benchmark nationwide.

A district office official stated, "The accommodation provided seniors with comfortable lodging, and local volunteer residents worked hard for the safety and convenience of the seniors. The warm hearts of the local community came together, allowing us to successfully complete the project this year as well."

Along with this, the district is also operating senior heat shelters to protect the health and safety of seniors from the heatwave. The heat shelters operate at 276 locations, including the district office lobby, community service centers, designated welfare centers, and all senior centers in the area, and are available on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until September 30 (the district office lobby closes on August 31). Some welfare centers operate as extended shelters, allowing use from Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during heatwave advisories. The list of individual shelters can be checked on the Nowon-gu district office website or through the 'Safe Stepping Stone' app.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, "This summer, which recorded an unprecedented tropical night, it is fortunate that we could protect the health of seniors through the operation of the senior nighttime heat shelter safety accommodation," adding, "We will do our best to actively respond to various disaster situations, including climate change, to protect the health and safety of our residents."