» Fukushima pref. to end housing aid for voluntary evacuees by March 2017

2015/06/16

The Fukushima prefecture government announced on June 15th that  it will stop providing free housing for voluntary evacuees by the end of March 2017.

Many voluntary evacuees are living in private apartments outside the prefecture, and their rent is free. Just like with forced evacuees, voluntary evacuees have had their free rent extended on a yearly basis, in accordance with the Disaster Relief Act.

As replacement, the prefectural govenment said they are considering taking some measures for low-income households, such as offering  financial support for moving in to Fukushima prefecture.

However, many of the voluntary evacuee, especially mothers with children, are not willing to return to their original home because of fear about negative health effect by radiation and concern about  continuity of their children’s education.

<Media Report> 

Fukushima to end housing aid for voluntary evacuees (Japan Times/Jiji press)

Fukushima Pref. looking to end free rent for voluntary disaster evacuees in 2017 (The Mainichi)

Tags:evacuation, Fukushima prefecture policy, news, voluntary evacuees

• Evacuation orders lifted in 3 municipalities today, one more tomorrow

• Court issues injunction to halt Takahama nuclear reactors

• Anti-nuclear group of India submitted a letter to the Japanese Government to oppose Japan-India nuclear agreement

• World Nuclear Victims Forum in Hiroshima closed with “Hiroshima Declaration”