Nagoya City Housing (Shiei Jutaku) offers limited income families and engaged couples the opportunity to apply for low-cost, city-funded apartments. Married couples with or without children and engaged couples can obtain reasonable housing in three to four roomed apartments. These apartments tend to be older and are not always located near subway lines, however most are located near city bus lines.

Housing Options
There are two different types of city housing available, 1) Shiei Jutaku and 2) Teijyu Sokushin Jutaku.

All Shiei Jutaku apartments do not supply bathtubs, you need to purchase your own. In some cases recycle shops offer used bathtubs at more reasonable prices. Rent for Teijyu Sokushin Jutaku housing tends to be rather high.

Housing regulations differ slightly between Shiei Jutaku and Teijyu Sokushin Jutaku so when you apply, please be sure to read the information carefully. Information is only available in Japanese and applications must also be filled out in Japanese, thus having a friend or your Japanese spouse assist in such matters is recommended.

Application System

There are two forms of application; Ippan Boshu - a lottery system (chusen) held four times a year (in February, May, August, and November), and Akiya Taikisha Boshu, for housing that comes available during the year. Applicants can apply through both methods at the same time. Application forms are available at city ward offices or the "Sumai-no-madoguchi" office in the underground shopping area of Sakae; located in between the Chunichi Building and Nagoya Mitsukoshi department store. Applications may be submitted by mail for the lottery. Applications for Akiya Taikisha Boshu are open all year, but can take up to one year or more to move in as applications are considered on a first-in-first-served basis.

Conditions

Single individuals may not apply and as city housing was built with funding from the national government there are income standards that must be meet as stipulated by the government. Three years after moving into city housing (Shiei Jutaku), residents are required to provide annual income status documentation; if income has increased beyond a certain level, the resident may have to move out. For Teijyu Sokushin Jutaku city housing, even if a  resident's income level increases after moving in, they will not be required to move out.

Application Requirements for City Housing
1.Applicants must live or work in Nagoya City. At the time of application, people must submit proof of current residence, otherwise application is not permitted.

2.Applicants must be living with or planning to live with a relative. Married couples with or without children, engaged couples and common-law spouses may apply, however siblings may not apply unless their parents are deceased. Roommates also may not apply.

3.People who are having difficulty finding housing for reasons other than financial difficulties may not apply.
4.A guarantor is required. When applying for Nagoya City Housing applicants must have a guarantor with income equal to or greater than the applicant. However, exchange students do not need a guarantor; instead information for a person who may be contacted in case of emergency is required.

5.Income levels must correspond with the below standards. With the exception of engaged couples, if two people are currently working, one person may not cease employment in order to meet income standards.

Examples of Housing Available for Akiya Taikisha Boshu

Inquiries and Application

Please call (in Japanese) "Sumai-no-madoguchi" at 052-264-4689 or 4683 from 10:00 to 19:00; closed on Thursdays, the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month, and from December 29 to January 3.

Website: www.jkk-nagoya.or.jp (Japanese only)