In Early Winter Cold, Homeless Centers Busy... "Increase in Temporary Overnight Stays"

Afternoon Visit to Yeongdeungpo Bohyeon Hope Support Center on the 7th
Homeless People Consulting for Admission Ahead of Winter
Social Workers Carrying Winter Supplies in Their Bags for 'Street Counseling'

"Can I be admitted?"

On the afternoon of the 7th, a homeless person is inquiring about admission to a social worker at the Yeongdeungpo Bohyeon Hope Support Center near Yeongdeungpo Station on Seoul Subway Line 1. Photo by Hwang Seoyul chestnut@

On the afternoon of the 7th at 1:30 PM, I visited the Yeongdeungpo Bohyun Hope Support Center near Yeongdeungpo Station on Seoul Subway Line 1. An elderly homeless man asked a social worker if admission was possible. Behind the homeless man who wanted to be admitted, three other homeless people were taking a short rest at the shelter. The center conducts initial consultations for homeless people in seven autonomous districts in the southwestern area and plays a role in providing welfare services and connecting them to facilities. A middle-aged homeless woman resting here said, "Last year, I was at the station waiting room because of the cold," and added, "Thank you."

Social workers said that the number of homeless people visiting the center has increased significantly as the early winter cold has arrived recently. The center, which is open 24 hours a day, also operates as an emergency shelter providing emergency sleeping spaces. Park Gang-su, the Hope Support Team leader, said, "If about 10 people slept in the shelter on average last month, 16 people slept there yesterday due to the sudden cold weather," adding, "Even one female homeless person, who usually has a low rate of street homelessness, stayed overnight."

It’s not only the center that has become busier. The bags used to prepare for 'outreach' activities, where social workers go directly to find and counsel homeless individuals, have become heavier than before. The 'Hope Clothing Room,' where homeless support supplies are stored, was filled on two walls with coats, long-sleeved clothes, and thermal underwear. On one side, there were sleeping bags. Social worker Kim Kwang-min said, "Some people hesitate to be admitted due to the difficulties of group living, so we also provide sleeping bags in the evening." On that day, the bags of social worker Kim and mental health specialist Baek Kyung-yeol, who went on outreach with Team leader Park, were full of water and underwear.

Social workers from Yeongdeungpo Bohyeon Hope Support Center are carrying bags containing support supplies as they move for street counseling. Photo by Seoyul Hwang chestnut@

During about 40 minutes of outreach, the homeless people gave few words in response to the questions from the social workers. Team leader Park told a middle-aged homeless man sitting alone in Yeongdeungpo Park, "You should take a bath and change your clothes. Wear thermal underwear, and since it’s cold today, please be sure to come to the center." A mobile bath vehicle is installed around the Yeongdeungpo district’s goshiwon (cheap lodging) area. Mr. A replied briefly, "Yes," and took the thermal underwear that social worker Kim took out of the bag. Team leader Park said, "Even short answers like this mean that this person is not reluctant to receive counseling or support, so it’s a good case," adding, "There are also people who refuse everything, even when we say, 'If you’re cold, sleep here; if you’re hungry, ask for food.'"

Social workers hoped there would be no safety accidents this coming winter. They pay special attention to open places during winter to prevent possible accidents caused by the cold. Team leader Park said, "There should never be deaths from hypothermia in winter," and added, "It is most important to provide services that meet the needs of not only homeless people but also other vulnerable groups and guide them to safe places." From the 15th, during the 'Special Protection Period,' late-night outreach will be conducted from midnight to 5 AM to prevent safety accidents such as deaths from hypothermia.

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