10 Units to Be Supplied in the Second Half of This Year, Following Last Year
Specialized Housing Designed for Treatment and Rehabilitation Support
Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) will supply Firefighter Hero Housing again this year, following last year's initiative. Firefighter Hero Housing is a specialized type of housing designed to provide young firefighters who have been injured or disabled while protecting the lives and safety of the public with a stable residential environment where they can receive treatment and rehabilitation support.
According to LH on June 25, this year's Firefighter Hero Housing will be located in the western area of Seoul. Around 10 units are expected to be supplied in the second half of the year. Last year's first Firefighter Hero Housing was established in the eastern area of Seoul. LH has set the rent for Hero Housing at about 40-50% of the surrounding market rate and provides integrated support for services needed by firefighters, such as psychological counseling and rehabilitation. According to data from the National Fire Agency, the number of firefighters who died in the line of duty or were injured increased significantly from 365 in 2014 to 1,336 in 2023. Firefighters dispatched to large-scale accident and rescue scenes are also facing threats to their mental health, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and sleep disorders.
Park Hyunkeun, head of LH Seoul Regional Headquarters, is congratulating the firefighter selected as a resident at the Firefighter Hero Housing move-in meeting. Provided by Korea Land and Housing Corporation
The first Hero Housing, supplied in December last year, was occupied by firefighter A, who was diagnosed with a disability after being injured while extinguishing an apartment fire, and firefighter B, who suffered a torn ankle ligament after falling during a rescue operation. Firefighter A, who was commissioned in 2014, experienced frequent injuries but was unable to take care of himself due to the constant occurrence of incidents and accidents. In 2019, he sustained a ruptured muscle in his right hand at the scene of an apartment arson incident.
The first Firefighter Hero Housing unit is close to a subway station and is near Gwangjin Fire Station, Neungdong 119 Safety Center, and Konkuk University Hospital. The rental deposit is 2 million won, and the monthly rent is 450,000 won, which is cheaper than the surrounding area. The unit is also equipped for residential convenience, with built-in home appliances and furniture. Firefighter A said, "Even when injured, I have silently carried out my duties, believing it is the destiny of a firefighter to be responsible for the safety of the public," and added, "Moving into the Firefighter Hero Housing feels like the nation is rewarding me for my efforts."
LH is also pursuing a specialized housing project for young injured veterans who have not been recognized as national merit recipients. The Hero Youth Housing, first supplied in 2023, is a residential support project to help soldiers adapt to society after suffering unexpected accidents during military service, such as the Cheonanham incident. LH receives recommendations for eligible recipients from the Seoul Youth Injured Veterans Counseling Center and aims to supply rental housing at up to 70% below the market price.
LH is also promoting a project to renovate old houses owned by national merit recipients. Since 2023, through a social contribution project called "House of Honor," LH has been improving the residential conditions of national merit recipients living in poor housing environments. After opening the first House of Honor in April last year, a total of 224 households were renovated by the end of the year. By the end of this year, the cumulative number is expected to exceed 300 households. According to a survey of national merit recipients, about 1.8% are estimated to live in non-residential buildings or places that are not houses.
Korea Habitat for Humanity and the US Forces Korea participated in the LH joint luxury house social contribution activity. Photo by Korea Land and Housing Corporation
Kwak Chang (88), a resident of Daejeon, was selected as a beneficiary of the project last year as a descendant of an independence activist. His father, Kwak Byungdo, raised and transported funds for the independence movement and served one year and six months in prison. Kwak Chang's house, built in 1950, was old and in need of repairs both inside and out. LH demolished the old structure and rebuilt it, completing work such as windows, insulation, and interior finishing, making it look like a new house.
An LH official stated, "We plan to continue expanding the supply of specialized housing that combines residential stability and living services for those who have devoted themselves to the nation."
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