In order for elderly people to continue living in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, we aim to clarify the following points :(1)basic attributes/living features;(2)issues in daily life/reasons for request of housing improvement; and (3) necessary conditions for continuous living in the area.We distributed a questionnaire by mail to 2,600 elderly people in Sumida Ward from August 6 to September 20, 2010. There were 730 valid responses.When asked about where they would like to live, 87.9% had a desire to continue living in their own houses.Of the 11.9% of the residents who desire to move, 80% would like to move somewhere within Sumida Ward.One point eight percent desire to move outside of the ward.Those with a desire to live in houses are residents who own their house and who are in good health. Half of them have an annual income of over three million yen. To continue to live in their same houses are need to receive health assistance and home improvement assistance.Many of those who desire to move out of the ward Private rented houses, live alone, are in poor health and have a low annual income. Forty percent of those who desire to move hope to live in public housing, while twenty percent hope to live in homes for the elderly.Twelve out of fifteen residents who desire to move outside of the ward live in their own houses. Those households are more likely to consist of elderly people only or residents with health issues. The residents who desire to move will be able to continue living in the area if suitable housing facilities are prepared within the ward.
