Gangnam-gu Publishes Single-Person Household Support Guidebook "A Life That's Okay Alone"

Comprehensive Welfare Information for Everyday Life at a Glance

Gangnam-gu in Seoul, in collaboration with the Gangnam-gu Community Social Security Council, has produced and distributed a guidebook titled "A Life That's Okay Alone: Support Guide for Single-Person Households." This practical guide aims to address the growing welfare needs of single-person households and to help improve their quality of life in a tangible way.

Support Guide for Single-Person Households in Gangnam-gu. Provided by Gangnam-gu.

There are approximately 97,699 single-person households in Gangnam-gu, accounting for about 40% of all households in the district. In response, the district has established a comprehensive support plan for single-person households and is implementing a variety of policies through public-private partnerships. The new guidebook stands out by consolidating support information that was previously scattered across multiple departments and agencies into a single volume.

The guidebook is organized into four parts. Part 1 presents 56 support programs for single-person households across five areas?safety, economy and employment, loneliness, health, and housing?in a clear and accessible format. For example, it includes information on ICT-based smart welfare check-in services, the Gangnam-style crisis family support project, Gachiitneun STAY.G, the Healthy Table program, and decluttering consulting for middle-aged single-person households, all of which are closely related to daily life.

Part 2 focuses on introducing the Gangnam-gu Single-Person Household Community Center and explaining how to use it. The center, which features shared lounges, shared kitchens, and single-person study rooms, was used by about 18,000 people last year alone, reflecting strong interest from residents. The guidebook provides detailed information on how the facility operates and how to use it, encouraging participation.

Part 3, under the theme "Finding the Welfare Information I Need," guides readers on how to easily search for welfare programs by life stage through the Gangnam-gu Smart Welfare Center platform. Part 4 includes essential daily information such as how to dispose of household waste, free legal consultations, resident safety insurance, and a moving-in checklist, along with QR codes for related organizations to improve accessibility for residents.

The guidebook is being distributed to 22 local community centers, health centers, and welfare facilities, and will also be used at programs and events targeting single-person households. In addition, it is available online through the district office website and the Gangnam-gu Smart Welfare Center platform.

Gangnam-gu Mayor Cho Sungmyung stated, "I hope this guidebook, which contains everything from practical information for daily life to ways to reduce feelings of isolation, will be helpful to residents living alone. We will continue to pursue policies to prevent social isolation and strengthen welfare for single-person households."