With some ideas, unused vacant houses have the potential to be transformed into attractive local resources.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is working with wards, cities, towns, and villages to support the efforts of private businesses and others to utilize these vacant houses to solve local issues and increase vitality, and is promoting these as good examples to encourage private businesses and owners of vacant houses to utilize them.
We have reviewed the applications received from various perspectives, including the degree of contribution to the local community, feasibility, and impact, and have selected the following three projects.

1　Overview of selected businesses and projects

（1）Selected business: General Incorporated Association for the Promotion of Vacant House Utilization

Partner local government: Katsushika Ward

Business overview

This project involves renovating a vacant house in Katsushika Ward into a community facility with a shared studio for crafting and an exhibition space. It will be used as a “place for everyone” where people of all generations can gather and interact, with spaces that can be used by multiple generations, including a children’s cafeteria, learning support for children, music classes, English conversation classes, workshops by university students, and an exhibition space.

（2）Selected company: Gecko Co., Ltd.

Partner local government: Adachi Ward

Business overview

In Adachi Ward, we are using our multifaceted network to find vacant houses that can be renovated and renovating them into shared houses for female students who have moved to Tokyo from rural areas. By eliminating initial costs such as security deposits and key money, we are able to reduce the burden of rent, support students who want to move to Tokyo, and provide exchange activities for students from rural areas. Furthermore, we aim to revitalize the community and promote intergenerational exchange by hosting exchange events between the students and local residents.

（3）Selected business: Lifelong Active House General Incorporated Association

Partner local government: Edogawa Ward

Business overview

In Edogawa Ward, the selected business operator will utilize its know-how and track record as a housing support corporation to renovate the shared house into one that is considerate of single-parent households and other families raising children. A community space will be set up separate from the residential area (shared house), and will be used as a community space centered around child-rearing, contributing to the revitalization of the local community.

2　Selection method

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government selected the projects based on the evaluation of the submitted business proposals and presentations by the applicants by a business selection committee composed of experts.

3　Selection criteria

• 1）Suitability for purpose and objectives
• 2）Regional contribution
• 3）Feasibility and maturity
• 4）Efficiency (organizational structure, management methods, plans)
• 5）Sustainability
• 6）Potential for development and impact

This project is an initiative to promote the “Tokyo 2050 Strategy.”
Strategy 17: Urban Development and Housing: “Ensuring housing as the foundation of life”

Contact: Housing Policy Headquarters, Private Housing Department, Planning Division Phone: 03-5320-7489 Email: S1090501（at）section.metro.tokyo.jp *The email address has been changed to prevent spam. Please replace (at) with @ when using this email address.