Expansion of 'Gwangjin 119 Housing' Temporary Shelter Program for Households in Crisis
Promoting Housing Stability with 'Gwangjin Youth Monthly Rent Support' Utilizing Housing Stability Fund
Establishment of 'Village Management Office' in Hwayang-dong for Youth Settlement and Daily Convenience
Gwangjin District (District Mayor Kim Kyungho) is implementing a variety of policies to address housing issues that affect all aspects of residents' lives.
First, the district is expanding its 'Gwangjin 119 Housing' program. As the district's flagship housing stability initiative, it has played a significant role in providing a safety net for residents in crisis. The program, which began in 2020, offers short-term temporary accommodation to residents facing emergencies such as fires, violence, or forced eviction. On average, support is provided for 432 days per year, and the program has received high satisfaction and positive feedback from users.
This year, the district has established a more stable housing support system. The scope of support has been expanded to include youth, newlyweds, and households with children, and the maximum stay has been extended to six months. Facility improvements have also been made: homes that were previously in semi-basement locations have been moved above ground, and older houses have been replaced with new constructions. The number of housing units has been increased from four to six, with two additional units now in operation.
The district has also taken steps to support housing stability for young people. In September last year, the district established a housing stability fund to provide practical assistance to young residents struggling with soaring housing costs and unstable employment conditions. The 'Gwangjin Youth Monthly Rent Support' program provides housing cost support to young people facing housing difficulties. The program offers 200,000 won per month for up to 12 months to young people who meet the following criteria: household income at or below 150% of the median, a deposit of 80 million won or less, monthly rent of 600,000 won or less, and total assets of 130 million won or less. The program will be fully implemented in the second half of the year, with careful attention to ensure that no one is left behind due to housing issues.
Additionally, in August, a 'Village Management Office' will be established in Hwayang-dong to support the stable settlement and daily lives of young residents. Hwayang-dong is an area densely populated with single-family and multi-family homes, and is home to Konkuk University and Sejong University, resulting in a high proportion of single-person youth households. The Village Management Office will provide on-site, rapid, community-based public services such as rental of daily necessities, organization and storage consulting, disinfection support, and minor home repairs.
The district is also working to improve the living environment for housing-vulnerable groups. In reality, most low-income households have very limited living space. The lack of proper organization and storage leads to a vicious cycle of increasingly poor living conditions. Starting in September, the district will implement the 'Support and Education for Storage Space for Housing-Vulnerable Groups' project, part of Seoul City's public contest for supporting the underprivileged. This project not only provides storage furniture but also offers customized education tailored to the characteristics and living patterns of each household. Up to 1.25 million won per household will be provided to 40 households, targeting tenants with household income at or below 80% of the median.
Kim Kyungho, Mayor of Gwangjin District, stated, "Stable housing is the foundation for stable lives and a vibrant local economy. We are implementing various policies to respond to changing housing environments and new housing demands. I encourage all residents to actively participate and take advantage of these benefits," adding, "We will continue to develop and expand housing policies to create a city where people want to live and stay."
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