Seongdong-gu Relocates Semi-basement Households and Utilizes Succulent Growth Sites

Seongdong-gu Supports Relocation of Two D-Grade Semi-Basement Households to Ground Level After Nationwide First Full Survey
Former Semi-Basements Used for Succulent Plant Growth and Public Storage of Safety Supplies at Dong Community Center

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, Searching for Semi-basement Spaces

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) is helping households living in semi-basement homes upgrade their living conditions and utilizing the vacated spaces for community purposes.

This is a follow-up measure to the nationwide first comprehensive survey of semi-basement homes graded from A+ to D, conducted after the heavy rains in the central region during the summer of 2022. Based on the survey results, Seongdong-gu implemented customized residential environment improvements such as fire and flood prevention installations.

Among them, the district supported the relocation of two basic livelihood security recipients living in semi-basement homes rated D to above-ground housing, and transformed the vacated spaces into public areas that support resident safety and self-reliance. These semi-basement homes were deemed unsuitable for habitation during the survey, and due to structural limitations, upgrading the grade through residential environment improvement projects was difficult.

The process was lengthy. The district office persuaded the tenants. After repeated efforts, the residents agreed to relocate to above-ground floors. Ultimately, in September and October, the two semi-basement households moved to first-floor homes nearby. The interest on the deposit and monthly rent were covered by the residents’ housing benefits. The insufficient deposit was supplemented by linking with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH Corporation)’s rental housing program for vulnerable households, borrowing at a low interest rate of 1-2%. Mr. Ju, who moved from a semi-basement, said, “I liked this neighborhood and didn’t want to leave, but thanks to the district office’s help, I’m happy to continue living nearby.”

The vacated spaces could have been rented out again as residential units, but the district utilized them as spaces needed by the local community. One was converted into a storage facility for safety equipment at the local community center, and the other was designated as a cultivation space for “Hope Hwaseubun” companion plants (succulents) grown by homeless people as part of a self-support program through a win-win agreement.

Seongdong-gu took appropriate measures for all 10 homes rated C and D, which were considered to have relatively poor residential environments. Of these, five were repurposed as non-residential spaces managed by the public sector, and five had their grades upgraded through home repairs and flood prevention installations.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, “Housing safety and community coexistence are the fundamental principles of Seongdong-gu’s housing policy.” He added, “With firm policy determination, we are grateful to provide new homes for existing tenants, maintain rental businesses for landlords, and create spaces needed by the community.”

Succulent Growth Chamber

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