This study examined the possibility of improving housing conditions in the twenty-three wards of Tokyo through practical application of leasing of existing privately owned dwellings occupied by elderly households. The results were as follows : 1. Many elderly households are able to lease the dwellings they own, move into leased dwellings especially designed for the elderly, and obtain income from the cost differential. However, by current market standards of rent, families seeking rental dwellings are unable to live in these because of the high rents. 2. However, by introducing public support into a system that applies such "housing chain," it is possible for the elderly to obtain their income, while at the same time ameliorating housing conditions for family households. 3. If the same funding can be applied as is currently budgeted for improvement of housing conditions, then it can be expected that a system for improvement which utilizes "housing chain" will turn out to be more efficient than the current system.
