No.70 Service-Equipped Housing for Older Adults

In March of this year, a new service-equipped housing for Older Adults, "Koshaheim Hirao," was established in the Hirao area, and move-ins began in May 2017.
This housing is commonly referred to as a "sakoju" (supported housing) and meets the standards specified in the "Law Concerning the Stable Housing of Older Adults," referring to properties registered with the governor of the prefecture. Specifically, it refers to rental housing for Older Adults that has a barrier-free structure and offers services such as life consultation and safety checks within the facility, making it the third registered property in the city.
This property is being developed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Housing Supply Corporation for the effective use of the site of the wastewater treatment facility in Hirao Housing Complex. A private operating company will lease the entire building and operate it as a senior housing facility in collaboration with the nursing care operators and medical corporations that will occupy the first floor.
Six years ago, this matter was still in the conceptual stage, but I included it as one of my election promises to attract it as a necessary building for the future of the city. During the construction planning stage, it gathered a lot of interest from local residents, and amidst various opinions for and against, discussions with the local community were held 24 times over a span of five years starting from April 2012. Members from the Tokyo Metropolitan Housing Supply Corporation, each Neighborhood Association in the Hirao area, and city officials continued discussions, and ultimately, we were able to incorporate functions that made us feel, 'It was good to have this in the community.'
Currently, our country is experiencing rapid aging. With the baby boomer generation reaching 75 years and older by the fiscal year 2025, it is urgent to establish a community-based integrated care system that allows individuals to continue living in their familiar communities in their own way, even if they require nursing care. Inagi City is also addressing this as one of its most important issues. The recently completed Koshaheim Hirao is expected to serve as a hub for community-based integrated care in the mature Hirao area.

By the way, in traditional senior housing, it is common for care facilities to be co-located, and properties with clinics are rare. In this situation, the collaboration between care and medical services is not necessarily close. However, in this property, the operating company has been preparing for the opening in mutual cooperation with care-related businesses, medical-related businesses, and community exchange facilities since before the residents moved in, and the system that allows many co-located facilities and businesses to provide services in an integrated manner is rare even in Tokyo.
In the future, we hope that Kosherheim Hirao will grow not only as a residence for tenants but also as a hub for community interaction, contributing to regional comprehensive care.
Additionally, the restaurant is not exclusive to residents and is open to the local community, so why not take a look if you are a neighbor?