Seoul City Implements Heatwave Measures for Homeless and Shantytown Residents

Operation of 11 Exclusive Heat Shelters for Homeless Individuals

Expansion of Emergency Relief Teams and Enhanced Patrols

Operation of 8 Heat Shelters for Shantytown Residents

Support for Electricity Costs and Cleaning of Communal Air Conditioners

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on June 8 that it will implement special heatwave measures to protect people experiencing homelessness and residents of shantytowns.

The "Special Summer Protection Measures for Homeless Individuals and Shantytown Residents," which will be in effect until October 15, include the following key initiatives: operation of exclusive heat shelters for the homeless; expansion of emergency relief teams to monitor the safety of homeless individuals on the streets; deployment of mobile bath vehicles to support hygiene and health for the homeless; operation of heat shelters and nighttime cooling shelters for shantytown residents; and support for air conditioner electricity costs in communal spaces within shantytown areas.

Seoul Yeongdeungpo jjokbangchon area. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

First, the city will operate 11 exclusive heat shelters for homeless individuals to escape the heat. These shelters are equipped with air conditioning and shower facilities, and provide daily necessities. In particular, the Bridge Comprehensive Support Center heat shelter in Euljiro will be operated exclusively for women, offering health and hygiene supplies as well.

For homeless individuals unable to use the heat shelters, three mobile bath vehicles will be deployed. These vehicles will visit five locations on designated days of the week: Namdaemun Underpass, Express Bus Terminal, Euljiro Entrance, National Medical Center, and the Yeongdeungpo Shantytown area.

The number of emergency relief team members monitoring the safety of homeless individuals will be increased from 51 to 114. Patrols and on-site counseling will be enhanced in areas with high concentrations of homeless individuals, such as Seoul Station, City Hall, Euljiro, and Yeongdeungpo, both day and night. Patrols will be intensified in crowded areas during the most dangerous hours, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and in case of emergencies, the teams will provide support for ambulance transport (119) and medical connections. During patrols, the teams will also provide information about heat shelters, check health conditions, and distribute daily necessities such as drinking water and clothing.

For shantytown residents, eight heat shelters—one more than last year—will be open on weekdays throughout the season. In July and August, these shelters will be fully open on weekends and public holidays as well. Six nighttime cooling shelters, including one operated by a shantytown counseling center itself and five sponsored by Hanmi Pharmaceutical's Donghaeng Bathhouse, will be available for residents to escape the heat at night. The city will support up to 200,000 won per air conditioner for summer electricity bills for 209 communal air conditioners installed in shantytowns, and will also provide filter cleaning. Fourteen cooling fog (mist-type cooling) zones installed in shantytowns will be operated flexibly as well.

Additionally, special response teams will be operated at each shantytown counseling center. A total of 10 teams, consisting of 20 people, will patrol twice daily to check the condition of communal air conditioners, respond to emergencies, and inspect high-risk facilities during heavy rainfall. Nurses at the counseling centers will regularly visit 141 residents designated as in need of special protection, such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, to check their health status.

Yoon Jongjang, director of welfare at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "We have developed these measures so that people experiencing homelessness and shantytown residents can live safely despite the heatwaves and tropical nights this summer. We will ensure these measures are operated thoroughly to serve as a strong safety net for vulnerable groups during extreme heat."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.