Creating affordable housing that takes into account the lifestyles and employment styles of immigrants and other residents
Graduate School of Science and Engineering Department of Engineering Architecture and Architectural Engineering Program Sustainable Regional Planning Laboratory
Koyama Yusuke
- yoron
Background and objectives of activities
While the number of empty houses is increasing in Yoron Town, there is a shortage of housing to accommodate migrants and visitors. Information and contacts for empty houses that have become owner-occupied are limited for those from outside the island. The number of private rental houses is small to begin with, and the rent is expensive. The number of applicants for public housing is high, and there are many households waiting to move in. In this housing situation, there are cases where it is difficult to secure housing even if you have a job when you move to or stay on the island from outside the island, and there is a need for initiatives to provide affordable housing.

Summary of Activities
In 2023, we cooperated with the town of Yoron in its efforts to renovate a house that had been empty into a share house for single people. We investigated the current state of the house to be renovated and created a renovation plan for the share house. Based on the renovation plan, we conducted interviews with town officials and immigrants to understand the key points of the renovation and their housing needs. In the future, we plan to investigate the living habits and employment/work status of temporary residents, and clarify the conditions for affordable housing through a study of how to operate the renovated share house.

Expected Benefits
Improving the affordability of housing will increase the number of people living on the island. It is hoped that this will encourage people to move to the island from outside the area and contribute to the sustainability of the local community. This project also aims to utilize vacant houses in the area as new housing resources.