Incheon City Prepares Protection Measures for Homeless and Ssokbang Residents Against Heatwave

Incheon City announced on the 26th that it has prepared measures to protect homeless people and residents of jjokbang (small, cramped rooms) in preparation for the summer heatwave.

The city has designated the protection period from July 1 to September 30 and plans to expand day and night patrols and open cooling shelters.

To prepare for crisis situations involving the homeless, a cooperative system will be established among frontline military and district offices, homeless facilities, and related organizations to strengthen field activities focusing on areas densely populated by homeless people, and emergency medical support will be promoted by linking public health centers, 119 emergency medical teams, and Incheon Medical Center.

In addition, a joint response team composed of public officials and homeless facility workers will regularly patrol areas densely populated by homeless people and jjokbang villages, check the health status of the homeless, and provide relief supplies.

Currently, the capacity for admission to homeless facilities in Incheon is about 180 people, and the Haeoreum Temporary Shelter (Seogu Eunhyeui Jip) provides emergency sleeping arrangements. For homeless people who do not wish to be admitted, temporary housing support is provided for up to three months in connection with goshiwons (small, inexpensive lodging facilities).

The city will conduct safety inspections of homeless facilities by July 21 to prepare for natural disasters such as typhoons and heavy rains and to ensure the safety of facility users, and will support facility reinforcement projects with 210 million won.

Also, next month, the city plans to request the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation to conduct safety inspections of electrical facilities for 221 jjokbang households.

An official from Incheon City stated, "We will prioritize the safety of homeless people and jjokbang residents who are vulnerable to heatwaves and strive to ensure swift and proactive crisis management."

A joint response team composed of public officials and workers from homeless shelters is visiting residents of jjokbang (small rooms) to deliver necessary supplies.
[Photo by Incheon City]

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