This study is about the ‘paradigm’ which works as a theoretical base for planning and managing elderly housing. For this purpose, this study surveyed published research works, and analysed the contents and the paradigms of the researches. This is based on the literature survey, and surveyed 66 research works published in the last 8 years. The result of the survey tells us that almost all of the research works done by Korean scholars are based on the rational approach to the design of elderly housing. They emphasize ‘functional rationalism’ ‘technical perfection’ ‘reasonable program’ ‘economy and market’, etc. However, such qualities as‘character of human being’ ‘depth of existence’ ‘identity of culture’ ‘speciality of place’are not emphasized. This means that paradigms used by Korean scholars are biased, and are far from the plural culture characterizing 21 st century. This study, therefore, analysed new paradigms appeared on the recent research works about housing environment, and suggests several new paradigms which would be essential for future planning of elderly housing.