Dobong-gu Launches Support for Reclusive Single-Person Households in Welfare Blind Spots

Active Welfare Practice to Identify Crisis Cases in Residential Welfare Blind Spots such as Gosiwon... Efforts to Establish Community Support Systems for Reclusive Single-Person Households at High Risk of Solitary Death

Support for Single-Person Household Lunchboxes

Dobong-gu 'Go(孤)(go)-Knock' Project Officer Handwritten Letter (July 2021)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dobong-gu (Mayor Dongjin Lee) is conducting the ‘Go(go)-Knock’ project, which provides customized support to single-person households in crisis living in goshiwon, a blind spot in residential welfare.

The ‘Go(go)-Knock’ project targets single-person households living in goshiwon within Dobong-gu who are at high risk of suicide due to disconnection from family and social activities, resulting in isolation and loneliness.

While access to vulnerable housing groups such as residents of rental housing and low-income households has expanded through the visiting community center project, single-person households in non-residential facilities like goshiwon have remained in welfare blind spots, exposed to risks of isolation and solitary death.

Accordingly, based on survey results, the district plans to conduct tailored counseling with the community centers where goshiwon are located, including ▲individual needs assessments ▲mental health status checks ▲linkage to welfare services for each subject ▲stress management ▲leisure exploration, aiming to provide comprehensive support for living as members of the local community.

For example, Mr. A, who works as a day laborer and lives alone due to family conflicts, said, “Recently, I have had health problems making it difficult to work, and with COVID-19 reducing job opportunities, I have not been able to pay my goshiwon rent for two months. The Welfare Policy Division of Dobong-gu Office has continuously counseled me and helped in many ways, which was a great help. I had visited financial and welfare institutions for housing cost issues but received no assistance. I am truly grateful that the district office conducted detailed investigations and connected me to welfare services.”

Currently, due to the COVID-19 social distancing level 4, programs for stress management and social relationship formation such as leisure exploration cannot be conducted. However, based on the needs survey of goshiwon residents, meal support?the most requested service?is being provided as an alternative.

In particular, meal support is being regularly prepared by a resident who previously received continuous counseling and support during a high-risk depression and suicide situation and is now participating as a volunteer. To enhance motivation and emotional support, the project manager also delivers handwritten letters, adding special meaning to the service.

Mayor Dongjin Lee of Dobong-gu explained, “Our district is making active efforts to reach out to residents in welfare blind spots. The goal of this project is to build a dense social safety net and help residents with diverse and complex needs, such as economic and mental crises, achieve independence as members of society through continuous and practical support.” Dobong-gu Welfare Policy Division, Hope Welfare Support Team

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