This research is an empirical study by Professor Yukiko Inoue of Japan College of Social Work Graduate School on housing support for populations experiencing both old age and poverty. Against the backdrop of the revised Housing Safety Net Act coming into effect in October 2025, the study clarifies insights and challenges for building a comprehensive housing support system through practical analysis of two welfare-oriented housing support corporations.
The research develops a housing resource diagram organized along two axes of "supply price" and "life support," based on Nomura Research Institute's (2016) housing resource mapping. It presents a comprehensive analytical framework including facilities for severely affected elderly and impoverished populations. The study identifies two types of currently insufficient housing resources: (1) affordable rental housing (without need for support/monitoring), and (2) housing with light support that falls short of institutional care.
Analysis of housing consultation data from the two surveyed housing support corporations reveals that single-person households and public assistance recipients constitute the majority of users, with approximately 30% having mental disabilities. Consequently, relocation destinations require a wide range of options from general rental housing to supported housing, nursing homes for the elderly, relief facilities, free/low-cost lodging houses, and group homes for people with disabilities.
Verification of the effectiveness of sublease-based supported housing shows it is effective for those unable to secure emergency contacts, but its effectiveness for those with rental payment delinquency history could not be confirmed. Additionally, the study reveals variations in support content provided by supported housing and limitations in the mechanism of covering these costs through sublease profit margins.
The research identifies the need to organize daily life support and rights advocacy support as important issues in housing support. Furthermore, it proposes expanding the concept of "housing support" to "dwelling support," emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive perspective that includes not only rental housing but also welfare facilities. By developing this into "housing security," it suggests positioning this as a more universal social security system.
The significance of this research lies in its departure from conventional rental housing-centered housing support theory, empirically demonstrating the need for a comprehensive housing support system that encompasses all "special residences" including welfare facilities. It provides crucial insights for constructing effective housing support policies in Japanese society where aging and impoverishment are progressing simultaneously.