A dedicated five-member patrol team — including formerly homeless self-reliance workers in the "No-No Caregiver" unit — will conduct on-site consultations and health checks, with patrols stepping up to at least twice daily during heat wave alerts; support ranges from relief supplies to emergency temporary shelter.
Seoul's Seongdong-gu district is rolling out its "2026 Heat Wave Response and Street Homeless Protection Plan" to safeguard the health and safety of homeless residents who are especially vulnerable to extreme heat.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts a 60 percent chance that temperatures this summer will exceed seasonal averages, pointing to an unusually hot season ahead.
In response, Seongdong-gu has designated May 20 through Sept. 30 as a special protection period, during which it will strengthen a field-centered, proactive response system and devote full resources to protecting homeless residents on the street.
The district will operate a dedicated five-member patrol team that includes two "No-No Caregiver" unit members — self-reliance workers who have themselves experienced homelessness. Because these caregivers understand the circumstances and mindset of homeless individuals better than most, they are well placed to lower psychological barriers, build genuine rapport, and carry out effective on-site counseling and health assessments.
On weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the patrol team will cover key areas where homeless residents congregate — including Wangsimni Station Plaza, Songjeong Embankment Park and Seoul Forest — providing assistance as needed.
When a heat wave alert is issued, patrols will increase to at least twice daily. Special patrols will also be conducted on weekends and at night to minimize gaps in coverage.
During patrols, team members will distribute summer relief supplies — including food, clothing and cooling items — and guide homeless residents to designated cooling centers, arranging direct transport when necessary. Those requiring intensive care will be connected to the Vision Training Center, a homeless facility within the district, for emergency temporary shelter.
Seongdong-gu will also activate a close coordination network with the Seongdong Police Station, the Seongdong Fire Department and homeless support facilities to ensure rapid response in emergencies. Police will assist with identity verification and joint patrols when emergencies arise, while the fire department will handle patient transport and emergency treatment — together forming a tight safety net to prevent casualties.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
