[Sponsored Report] Hyundai Steel warms up local communities

Members of Happy Yes, a Hyundai Steel volunteer group comprised of university students, participate in House Remodeling for Hope. Provided by Hyundai Steel

Hyundai Steel employees took part in repairing walls, windows and doors as part of the company’s House Remodeling for Hope program on June 19 in Dangjin, South Chungcheong. House Remodeling for Hope is Hyundai Steel’s representative social contribution program that aims to improve the residential environment of low-income households and boost energy efficiency. The employees of Hyundai Steel and members of Happy Yes, the company’s volunteer group comprised of university students, collaborated together to contribute to the local community.

One of the beneficiaries of the most recent remodeling project was a senior citizen who lived alone. Her house, which lacked proper insulation, was extremely vulnerable in the winter. When temperatures dropped, she wasn’t able to use the kitchen and could only fall asleep with several layers of blankets. The severe lack of energy efficiency was costing her an average of 170,000 won ($166) per month from heating bills.

“I heard this house was personally built by her son who passed away a long time ago,” said an employee of Hyundai Steel who participated in the project. “I was glad that we could also help preserve her memories through House Remodeling for Hope.”

The remodeling project raises funds from a matching grant of Hyundai Steel employees and the company. The project aims to solve two problems at once: saving the energy cost of low-income families and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The project has improved the homes of 426 households since its takeoff in 2009. Hyundai Steel plans to repair 1,000 households by 2020.