Ministry of Health and Welfare evaluates all 17 cities and provinces; Daejeon praised for comprehensive support system from street outreach to self-reliance
Daejeon has been named an outstanding local government for homeless policy for the second consecutive year, the city announced Tuesday, after the Ministry of Health and Welfare recognized it in this year's national evaluation.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare conducts an annual assessment of homeless policy implementation across all 17 cities and provinces nationwide to promote welfare and self-reliance among homeless people and to spread effective policy practices.
This year's evaluation covered policies aimed at helping homeless people achieve independence and reintegrate into their communities. It assessed 11 tasks across five areas: street outreach for homeless prevention, medical support to guarantee health rights, residential support for stable living, welfare services for community reintegration, and infrastructure development to strengthen the policy foundation.
Daejeon was selected as the top local government among all 17 cities and provinces and will receive a commendation from the minister of health and welfare. The city was praised for building an integrated self-reliance support system spanning street-level response, health care, housing, welfare services, employment and community reintegration.
Being named the top local government for two consecutive years carries particular significance, as it reflects Daejeon's efforts to go beyond sheltering people on the streets and support their full reintegration into the community.
The city built a street outreach support system to respond swiftly to crises among homeless people and strengthened emergency support services. It has also worked to improve access to medical care and address infectious diseases to better protect the health of homeless residents.
Daejeon also expanded public rental housing support and combined service and housing assistance, linking resettlement support and welfare services to help homeless people prepare to return to the community.
Particularly noteworthy was the city's collaboration with external organizations, including Korail and the Korea Self-Sufficiency Promotion Agency, to create jobs using 438 million won ($310,000) in outside funding — a practice recognized as a model case. The city provided diverse employment opportunities, including smart-farm mushroom cultivation, environmental maintenance at Daejeon Station, and a street counseling project staffed by people with lived experience of homelessness, broadening work opportunities and supporting economic self-reliance.
"Homeless welfare cannot be addressed through support in just one area — it requires organic coordination across street outreach, medical care, housing, welfare, employment and community linkages," said Lee Gil-ju, director of Daejeon's welfare bureau. "Going forward, we will keep self-reliance at the center of our approach, strengthen public-private cooperation and ties with external organizations, and build a tight-knit welfare system that supports stable living and community reintegration."
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
