Jongno-gu, led by District Mayor Yoo Chan-jong, is moving ahead with a project to revive a long-vacant property owned by the Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH) and convert it into emergency housing for vulnerable residents.
The initiative bundles temporary shelter with welfare services to address gaps in housing support for low-income households.
Until now, the district had no emergency housing of its own, forcing officials to refer households in housing crises to other districts. The new project will allow the district to provide swift support locally.
The target property is a deteriorating single-family home in Changsin-dong, built in 1974, with one below-ground floor and two above-ground floors, totaling 158.07 square meters of floor area.
Under the arrangement, the district will oversee administration including contracts and resident referrals, SH will provide the space rent-free, and the Jongno Residential Welfare Center will handle day-to-day operations.
Remodeling is set to be completed this month. The first and second floors will each house one emergency unit — two households in total — while the basement will be fitted out as a shared cultural space open to all residents.
The renovation work, which includes wallpapering, flooring and waterproofing, will involve not only professional contractors but also architecture students contributing their skills on a volunteer basis, adding further meaning to the project.
Move-in eligibility is limited to family households in need of housing support. Candidates recommended by community service centers will be selected based on the criteria used for SH's Baro-doum Housing program.
The initial stay is six months, extendable by up to another six months through consultation. Residents pay no rent and cover only their own utility bills. Throughout the stay, the center will provide follow-up support to help residents secure stable long-term housing, such as public rental units.
The district began preliminary discussions last October and has since conducted on-site inspections, finalized the rent-free arrangement with SH, and met with participating students. Once construction wraps up this month, the district plans to proceed with resident referrals and hold an opening ceremony in September alongside the first move-ins.
"This is a meaningful project in that a vacant building in our district is being transformed into a safe haven for neighbors in crisis," District Mayor Yoo said. "We will work with SH and the Jongno Residential Welfare Center to build a housing safety net where vulnerable residents can stay with peace of mind."
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