Gyeonggi-do Invests 880.7 Billion Won to Support 1.63 Million 'Single-Person Households'

Gyeonggi-do Single-Person Household Policy Information Poster

Gyeonggi Province will invest 880.7 billion KRW in 39 projects to support 1.63 million single-person households in the province, including AI companion services for the elderly and the development and distribution of residential safety checklists.

On the 14th, Gyeonggi Province announced the '2024 Gyeonggi Province Single-Person Household Support Implementation Plan,' which allocates a total of 880.7 billion KRW, including 704.3 billion KRW in national funds, 81 billion KRW in provincial funds, 95.3 billion KRW in city and county funds, and 100 million KRW from other sources. Of this budget, 686.8 billion KRW will be invested in housing support projects, and 193.9 billion KRW in other policy projects.

First, Gyeonggi Province will expand the 'Single-Person Household Hospital Safe Companion Project,' newly established last year, from five areas?Ansan, Gwangmyeong, Gunpo, Seongnam, and Gwacheon?to 10 cities and counties including Pyeongtaek, Siheung, Gwangju, Guri, and Yangpyeong. The usage fee has also been lowered to 5,000 KRW for three hours for residents within the province. Residents of neighboring cities and counties outside the designated areas can also use the service by paying 5,000 KRW per hour.

Through this project, Gyeonggi Province provided hospital companion services to a total of 1,184 people last year. Additionally, it achieved 137 cases of related service linkage and 2,916 consultations. A satisfaction survey of service users recorded a score of 4.99 out of 5.

Gyeonggi Province will also expand the 'Single-Person Household Free Topic Proposal Project,' which reflects regional and life-cycle characteristics and supports proposals from cities and counties, from eight cities and counties last year to 12 this year.

As a new project this year, Gyeonggi Province will collaborate with housing and safety experts and the Gyeonggi Women's Family Foundation to develop and distribute a 'Residential Safety Checklist' in the first half of the year, reflecting the characteristics of Gyeonggi Province and housing types to help single-person households choose safe homes.

In addition, an 'AI Elderly Companion Service' will be provided for single elderly households aged 65 and older who require welfare checks. This system involves an AI counselor making weekly welfare check calls to the elderly, responding if calls are missed or signs of crisis are detected.

Furthermore, a 'Single-Person Household Policy Participation Group' consisting of 50 Gyeonggi residents interested in single-person household policies will be formed to engage in various policy activities such as proposing policy ideas and participating in promotional video contests.

Gyeonggi Province will also promote projects such as installing security facilities in crime-prone areas with high concentrations of single-person households, identifying and supporting isolated and withdrawn youth with tailored programs, and distributing self-defense items to vulnerable youth.

Ahn Seung-man, Director of the Family and Multicultural Division of Gyeonggi Province, said, "Single-person households in Gyeonggi Province have diverse characteristics depending on region and life cycle and face various difficulties such as housing issues, health, and social isolation. Through the implementation plan prepared this time, we will promote demand-tailored policies in necessary areas to contribute to improving the quality of life for single-person households."

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