Relocation Practices in Central Tokyo’s Homelessness Support Systems

Abstract

Based on the policies of a community-based society and ageing in place, social welfare services are increasingly provided to enable users’ continuity and independence in daily life in their homes. However, when losing a home, individuals and families are offered temporary accommodation, which, in the case of large cities, often causes relocation（s） beyond local government borders. Given the gap between the philosophy of living in place and homelessness responses, this study examined relocation practices within the public homelessness support system in central Tokyo and the factors contributing to such practices. Questionnaire surveys and interviews with welfare officers from 18 special wards in Tokyo revealed that most people without housing were provided temporary accommodation under public assistance. Long-distance relocations frequently occurred when private low-cost lodging facilities were secured for this purpose. Relocations beyond local government borders were driven by welfare offices using organisations that ran many facilities in widespread locations to secure accommodation, and by the shrinking accommodation capacity in central Tokyo due to stricter regulations on low-cost lodging facilities.