Construction of Infrastructure Such as Disabled Persons and Women's Welfare Centers, and Veterans Memorial Park
Practical Projects Including Elderly Accompaniment Care and Pregnancy Support Allowance Attract Attention
'Welfare' is the largest portion of the budget managed by frontline local governments. Especially this year, despite difficulties in securing budgets due to the economic downturn and contraction of corporate activities, the trend is to rather increase welfare-related budgets.
Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province is also maintaining this policy. The intention is to protect socially vulnerable groups who suffer more during economic hardships. The city is investing 1.22 trillion KRW in welfare this year, an increase of 60 billion KRW compared to the previous year. This accounts for 42% of the city's total budget. The city plans to promote welfare policies that enhance citizens' welfare awareness this year based on welfare infrastructure established throughout the region.
By sector, elderly welfare receives the largest amount at 425.3 billion KRW, and 418.9 billion KRW is allocated for infant and child care. Additionally, budgets are allocated as follows: ▲Support for vulnerable groups such as the disabled 134.6 billion KRW ▲Support for low-income households' livelihood stability 117.9 billion KRW ▲Family and women projects 41.4 billion KRW ▲Veterans affairs 19.1 billion KRW ▲Youth housing stability support 2.3 billion KRW. Here is a look at Yongin City's major welfare budgets for this year.
Elderly Hospital Accompaniment Service and Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Projects Draw Attention
A notable project in the elderly welfare sector this year is the 'Hospital Accompaniment Service for Elderly Seniors.' This is a new project starting this year. If a resident of Yongin aged 70 or older needs accompaniment for outings such as hospital visits, a 'companion manager' assists with the entire process including hospital registration, payment, and medication receipt.
Yongin City plans to invest 425.3 billion KRW in the elderly welfare sector this year, implementing various projects such as the "Senior Hospital Companion Service." Earlier, in May last year, Yongin City was certified as an Age-friendly City by the World Health Organization (WHO). Photo by Yongin City
By June, 60 senior centers, which are major activity spaces for elderly seniors, will be equipped with 'Smart Senior Centers.' These centers will be linked with administrative welfare centers and public health centers for systematic management of the elderly. At Smart Senior Centers, digital device usage education and experience opportunities such as kiosks and smartphones will be provided for seniors.
To improve cremation and enshrinement services, the usage fee for non-resident users of the 'Forest of Tranquility Crematorium' will be increased. Renovations of cremators, expansion of enshrinement halls, construction of new enshrinement walls, and drainage maintenance will also be carried out.
Popular services among citizens such as ▲creation of elderly jobs ▲support of Baekok rice for senior centers ▲repair services for minor malfunctions for solitary elderly ▲activation of elderly and multipurpose welfare centers will continue to be promoted.
Veterans Hall and Memorial Garden Construction... Expansion of Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Projects
The city will create a memorial park around the Veterans Hall completed last year in Yeokbuk-dong, Cheoin-gu. The park is planned to serve as a resting space not only for national veterans but also for citizens.
Projects for the self-reliance of low-income groups will also be expanded. Within this year, the 'Joayong in Store' Giheung branch will be expanded, and a new Suji branch will open. In Suji-gu, the 4th branch of 'Bapgwa Hamkkeramyeon' will also be introduced.
In addition, support for basic living security, discovery of welfare blind spots, identification, counseling, and support for livelihood recipients, and care for socially isolated households will continue.
Introduction of 'Self Refueling Service' to Assist Disabled and Pregnant Women
To create communication spaces for the disabled, the city is promoting the construction of a Disabled Persons Hall in Mapyeong-dong, Cheoin-gu. A budget of 23 billion KRW will be invested in the hall. The city plans to proceed with basic and detailed design services within the year.
The Yongin Virtual Reality Sports Experience Center, which opened last year to support leisure activities for people with disabilities. This year, the city plans to carry out various projects for priority care recipients, including 'Self Refueling Service.' Provided by Yongin City
Starting in March, a service to assist priority groups such as the disabled and pregnant women with refueling at gas stations will be introduced. From March, priority groups can scan a QR code at self-service gas stations, and staff will come out to assist with refueling. This policy was prepared considering that 70% of gas stations in the area are self-service.
The city will expand 24-hour activity support for severely disabled persons living alone and continue to support the 'Emergency Safety Notification Service' to enable prompt response in case of fire or emergency situations.
Construction of Women's Welfare Center... Expansion from Childbirth Support to Pregnancy Support
The 'Women's Welfare Center' planned in Dongbu-dong, Cheoin-gu, is scheduled to begin construction within the year and be completed in 2027. The welfare center will be an open complex space centered on families, equipped with facilities for women as well as children, families, and the disabled, providing customized welfare services according to various family types.
The existing low birthrate response policy focused on 'childbirth support' will be expanded to 'pregnancy support.' To this end, pregnant women over 20 weeks who have resided for more than 180 days will receive 300,000 KRW per fetus in local currency.
The childcare center heating and cooling cost support project, first implemented last year, will be increased by 200,000 KRW across all districts this year. The Children's Day event budget will also be increased to prepare various programs for children.
For young people preparing for independence after the end of protection periods in child care facilities, the city will promote a 'First Start Support Project' from this year, which includes support for ▲wedding expenses ▲first household appliances and furniture ▲driver's license acquisition in addition to the existing self-reliance settlement funds.
Strengthening Step-by-Step Housing Support for Youth
Support measures have also been prepared for the step-by-step housing upgrade process for youth from social entry to settlement (monthly rent → jeonse deposit → home purchase). Yongin youth households who have taken out loans for their first home purchase will receive interest support of 1% of the loan balance up to a maximum of 1 million KRW.
Youth without homes who have taken out loans for jeonse or monthly rent deposits will receive interest support of 1% of the deposit loan balance. Young adults preparing for independence will receive monthly rent support of 200,000 KRW for up to 24 months.
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