Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the planning characteristics of certain cases of elderly welfare housing (hitherto EWH), and analyze any problems by comparing this against the actual needs of potential residents. To this end, 38 distinct housing plans from twelve EWH built after 2005 were examined, and a survey on housing needs was taken by 198 people between 48 and 62 years of age. The results are as follows: Firstly, the most common size found among the 10 cases was 42-66 $m^2$, however larger sizes are becoming more frequent. The most popular response on the survey was one favoring smaller housing options. Secondly, the most common floor plan examined consisted of 1 bedroom + LDK and 2 bedroom + LDK. Likewise, the survey reflected that 1 or 2 bedroom housing was preferred. Thirdly, a floor plan composed of a smaller bedroom and LDK is commonly found in smaller floor plans of EWH. The survey reflected potential residents preferred this same style of floor plan, with a smaller bedroom and LDK set up. However, lower-income participants preferred a single, larger bedroom which also can serve as a living space, to go along with a kitchen/dining room (DK). Fourthly, 2 bedroom housing typically included a single bathroom, however the survey indicated that participants preferred a second bathroom to go along with a second bedroom. Consequently, the planning of elderly welfare housing is to a large extent meeting the demands of its potential residents, however house size and the planning of bathrooms have yet to meet these demands, especially with potential lower-income residents when it comes to housing size and space composition.