Gangseo District to Operate 161 Senior Heat Shelters

Welfare Centers and Senior Lounges Open to the Public
Two Nighttime Safe Accommodation Facilities Also Available

Gangseo District in Seoul (Mayor Jin Kyohun) announced on July 28 that it is implementing the “2026 Senior Heat Shelter Operation Plan” to protect the health and safety of senior citizens during the heat wave.

Senior Heat Relief Shelter (Central Senior Love Room). Provided by Gangseo-gu.

This year, the district is operating a total of 161 senior heat shelters, including 12 welfare centers, 147 senior lounges, and 2 nighttime safe accommodation facilities. The district will operate these shelters throughout the heat wave response period, which runs until September 30.

Welfare centers are open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., while senior lounges are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. The district will also distribute 7,500 fans and 4,500 packs of hand sanitizing tissues to welfare centers and senior lounges to promote summer hygiene management and help prevent heat-related illnesses.

To address heat risk during nighttime hours, the district will operate a “nighttime safe accommodation” program in cooperation with private organizations. Two accommodation facilities—Tiffany Hotel and Hotel Yaja Gangseo District Office Branch—have been secured and will be provided as nighttime shelters if heat wave advisories or warnings are issued.

Eligible users include low-income elderly households aged 65 or older who live in rooms without air conditioning, rooftop rooms, gosiwons (small, one-room living quarters), or other residences with a high risk of heat illness. Residents who wish to use the facilities can apply directly at their local district office or be referred by the office. Usage hours are from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following day. The principle is one person per room, but if accompanied by family members or others, up to two people may stay in one room.

Last year, the district also carried out heat wave prevention programs such as providing support for air conditioning costs, purchasing and repairing new cooling equipment, supplying 116 fans and 20 first aid kits, and distributing approximately 20,000 bottles of drinking water. Through the nighttime safe accommodation program, a total of 285 overnight emergency stays were provided for seniors.

Mayor Jin Kyohun said, “Based on a preliminary demand survey, we have reorganized the senior heat shelters, provided support for cooling costs, and completed inspections and repairs of air conditioning equipment to make the facilities more convenient. We will continue to implement meticulous administration so that seniors are not neglected or exposed to safety risks during the heat wave.”

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