Mapo-gu Launches Special Task Force (TF) for Single-Person Household Measures

Last Month, Deputy Mayor Park Beom Led the Formation of the 'Single-Person Household Special Task Force (TF)' Focusing on 25 Projects in 5 Key Areas Centered on the 'Single-Person Household Support Center'

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seo Hye-ji (pseudonym), who lives alone in Mapo and took a self-defense class operated by the ‘1-Person Household Support Center,’ said, “When I heard the doorbell while I was home alone, I used to get startled, but after coming into contact with the 1-Person Household Support Center, I have become stable both physically and mentally.”

Mapo-gu (Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun) established the ‘2021 1-Person Household Support Plan’ last July and launched the ‘1-Person Household Special Task Force (TF).’

As the number of 1-person households exceeded 83,000, accounting for 22.5% of Mapo-gu’s population (370,000) as of the end of June this year, ranking 7th among Seoul’s autonomous districts, the urgency of supporting 1-person households was recognized, and this support project was expedited.

The ‘1-Person Household Special Task Force (TF),’ which will act as the control tower for supporting 1-person households, includes 15 related departments such as safety, housing, and welfare.

The projects supported by the ‘1-Person Household Special Task Force (TF)’ consist of 25 detailed projects across five areas (poverty, loneliness, safety, illness, housing) and have been underway since August this year.

First, poverty is a crucial area identified as the primary difficulty for 1-person households in a Seoul city survey, and to address this, all available welfare systems, including Seoul-type emergency welfare and livelihood benefits, are being utilized.

Loneliness, ranked as the second major difficulty after poverty, is being addressed through various programs operated by the ‘Mapo-gu 1-Person Household Support Center,’ tailored to gender and generation, such as ▲‘Power-Up Project’ for middle-aged adults ▲late-life education for seniors ▲physical activities for youth ▲women’s club meetings ▲cooking classes ▲counseling mentoring.

In the safety area, support is provided for ▲women 1-person households with the ‘Safe Home 3-piece Set’ (door opening sensor, portable emergency bell, window lock device) ▲‘1-Person Household Safety Door Keeper’ linked with professional security companies, alleviating concerns about residential safety for 1-person households.

In the illness area, health management for seniors based on artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, and support for the AI companion robot ‘Mapodong-i’ are provided, utilizing information and communication technology (ICT) to care for the health of 1-person households.

Finally, in the housing area, the ‘MH Mapo Housing’ project supports temporary residence and public rental housing for residents experiencing housing crises, taking responsibility for housing for 1-person households.

For inquiries about support for 1-person households, contact the Women and Family Division of Mapo-gu Office.

Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun of Mapo-gu said, “Since anyone can become a 1-person household throughout their life, support tailored to the life cycle is necessary,” and added, “We will continue to discover and promote various support policies.”

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