Gangseo-gu seeks applicants for home repair support program for low-income residents

Seoul's Gangseo-gu announced Friday it is accepting applications for its "Hope Home Repair" program, a residential welfare initiative that covers the cost of replacing wallpaper, flooring, windows and other fixtures for low-income households. This year, the program has expanded to include electric fans and portable heating and cooling units.

The district offers up to 2.5 million won ($1,660) per household in repair costs for owner-occupied and rental households earning at or below 60 percent of the median income. Households already receiving integrated care services that also need home repairs will be given priority.

Households are ineligible if they are owner-occupied homes at or below 48 percent of median income that qualify for housing maintenance benefits, or if residents live in non-residential structures such as single-room tenements, guesthouses or vinyl greenhouses, as well as unauthorized buildings. Households that received support through the program within the past three years are also excluded.

Residents wishing to apply may visit their local community center through July 31. The district will select final beneficiaries after a review, with repair work set to begin in September.