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 occupancy began in May 2017.
This housing is commonly referred to as "sakoju" and meets the standards set forth in the "Law Concerning the Stabilization of Housing for 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 consultations and safety checks within the facility, marking the third registered property in the city.
This property was constructed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Housing Supply Corporation to make effective use of the site of the former sewage treatment facility in the Hirao housing complex, with a private operating company leasing the entire building and operating it as a service-equipped housing in collaboration with care providers and medical corporations located on the first floor.
Six years ago, this project 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 city's future. During the construction planning phase, it garnered significant interest from local residents, leading to various opinions for and against it, resulting in 24 discussions with the local community 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 staff continued discussions, ultimately incorporating functions that would make the community feel it was a positive addition.
Currently, our country is experiencing rapid aging. As the baby boomer generation reaches 75 years and older by the fiscal year 2025, it is urgent to establish a community-based care system that allows individuals to continue living in their familiar communities in their own way, even if they require nursing care. This is one of the most important issues we are addressing in Inagi City. The recently completed Koshaheim Hirao is expected to serve as a hub for community-based care in the mature Hirao area.

By the way, in conventional senior housing, it is common for care facilities to be attached, and properties with clinics are rare. In this situation, it does not necessarily mean that the collaboration between care and medical services is closely established. However, in this property, it is said that the operating company has been preparing for the opening in mutual cooperation with care-related businesses, medical-related businesses, and community exchange facilities from before the residents moved in, and the system where many attached facilities and businesses can provide services integrally is rare even in Tokyo.
In the future, we hope that Koshaheim Hirao will grow not only as a base for residents but also for community residents, and that it will play a role in community-based integrated care.
Additionally, the restaurant is not exclusive to residents but is open to local residents as well, so why not take a look if you are a neighbor?