Seoul expands social services for single-person households

A participant shares his thoughts at a single-person household policy forum held by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, July 10. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

New policies cater to diversifying family structure

By Lee Suh-yoon

One in three households in Seoul ― around 1.2 million ― contain just one occupant.

Over the past few months, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has been channeling more resources into policies that benefit these single-person households. In October, it announced a five-year policy plan to provide better social and economic support for the rising demographic group.

Much of the proposed policies focus on creating social links between the disparate households. The city will expand its community programs for single-person households such as music classes and co-ops. The number of communal kitchens set up for the city-run "social dining" project will increase from the current seven to 75 by 2023, according to the plan.

"We are seeing a diversification of family structures that stray away from the traditional four-person household, such as single-person households and unmarried live-in couples," said Moon Mi-ran, head of the city's women and family policy division. "In the case of single-person households, we found there was a common desire for better networking. This is what we focused on while drafting the plan."

The city also plans to launch a new initiative called "time bank." A participant can collect hours under their own name by helping another resident who lives alone. The person can later "spend" these hours to quickly summon another person's help in an emergency, like when needing help getting to the hospital.

In addition, the city government will set up reach-out support centers in all 25 districts of Seoul. The centers will provide consultation services based on each individual's most pressing needs, ranging from mental health to economic independence.

A few policies will focus on improving the economic autonomy of these single-person households. According to the city's survey of 3,000 residents who live alone, the biggest concern for single-person households is financial insecurity and social isolation.

Single-person households with a yearly income of less than 20 million won ($17,200) will be provided with low-interest loans.

An online platform to be set up next year will provide a one-way stop to apply for such services. Once it is launched, the city government will tailor more specific policies for smaller sub-groups categorized by age or gender.

The policies were designed according to the surveys and open forums with experts and members of this demographic group.

Historically, the proportion of single-person households in the population increases along with the increase of economic level and welfare. The number of single-person households in Korea has risen alongside the nation's economic development over the last 30 years.

However, single-person households in Korea commonly suffer from poverty, according to professor Shin Kwang-yeong at Chung-Ang University's sociology department.

"The average income level of single-person households is below the general poverty line," Shin commented at a policy forum on Oct. 17. "In the case of female single-person households, the poverty rate is already 37 percent for those aged between 19 and 34 and surpasses 49 percent later in the age group of mid-40s."

Half of the single-person households in Seoul are young people in their 20s and 30s, according to city data. Many of them live on rent, making it harder to save up.

Last month, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon announced he would expand the city's "youth allowance" program by fivefold for unemployed young residents. The program provides unemployment benefits to lower- and middle-class residents aged 19 to 34 who lack full-time jobs. The chosen applicants ― a number that will increase to 30,000 next year from this year's 6,500 ― will be given a monthly allowance of 500,000 won ($418) for up to six months. Many use it to pay their rent.

"We will ensure the city's policies provide opportunities to every young resident who dreams of finding a job and living on their own," the mayor said.

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