Seongdong-gu Continues Improving Living Conditions of Semi-basement and Rooftop Rooms with Briquette Zero Support

Comprehensive Survey of 26 Households Using Yeontan: Priority Support for Urban Gas Conversion for 2 Interested Households, Simultaneous Resolution of Winter Housing and Energy Issues... Customized Environmental Improvements Including Kitchen Renovation, Roof Installation, Replacement of Low-Threshold Gates, and Safety Handle Installation... Five-Year Rent Freeze and Tenant Housing Stability Protection Through Win-Win Agreement with Landlords

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) announced that it is implementing the ‘Yeontan Zero (zero) Support Project,’ which supports the installation of city gas for households using briquettes to create a safe residential environment for residents.

Briquettes were widely used as a popular heating fuel until the early to mid-1980s, but with the spread of alternative fuels such as oil and city gas, the use of briquettes sharply declined due to inconveniences in storage and management, carbon monoxide emissions, and large amounts of briquette ash.

Although the number of households using briquettes in urban areas has decreased to the point where they are hard to find, the risk of fires and safety accidents caused by briquettes still remains. Therefore, the district has taken active measures to ensure a safe residential environment.

First, the district identified households that have received support for briquette purchase costs through the energy voucher system or have been issued briquette coupons. It was found that 26 households in the area were using briquettes, and a full survey was conducted on all target households.

The survey results showed that the reasons for continuing to use briquettes without switching to city gas were due to planned relocation because of redevelopment projects, inability to carry out construction due to unauthorized housing, installation cost burdens, and a preference for relatively inexpensive briquettes.

Kitchen Replacement

Accordingly, the district, together with Yesco and Habitat Korea, prioritized supporting the conversion to city gas for two households where city gas connection was possible and installation was desired. In addition to installing city gas boilers, customized environmental improvements were supported according to the characteristics of the aging houses. By installing eco-friendly boilers and inserting gas pipes, winter housing problems and energy issues were solved simultaneously.

For the household of Kang 00, a basic livelihood security recipient who had been living with a tarp roof to avoid rain due to a dilapidated roof, a new roof was installed and kitchen replacement work was carried out for city gas connection. For the household of elderly disabled couple Yoo 00, kitchen replacement was done, the front gate was replaced with a lowered threshold gate, and safety handrails were installed to reduce the risk of falls.

Furthermore, after the housing environment improvement project, the district signed a win-win agreement with landlords to freeze rent for five years and guarantee residency rights to ensure tenants’ housing stability and rights protection.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Following support for semi-basement and rooftop rooms, we continue to provide assistance for vulnerable and hazardous dwellings that are especially vulnerable to health and safety due to climate change,” and added, “We will continue to implement pioneering housing policies to make Seongdong a better place for everyone to live.”