Current Status and Issues of Measures for Self-Reliance of Homeless People in Tokyo

Abstract

The Law to support homeless people become self-reliance has been effective since 2002. Then Tokyo has built emergent temporary shelters and self-reliance facilities, cooperating with wards, on its own system for financially independence. Those facilities have some problems in terms of their location, design and program. The policy is sometimes criticized as to be too much work-fare oriented. But the situation has been improved. Tokyo is preparing for leasing private housing units. A council meeting has established in Shinjuku-ku, consisted of not only NPO and local government, but also local residents and homeless people. In the future, measures should include the concept of preventing homelessness, giving a primary role to the homeless, and politicizing based on the right of residence.