New changes to the state housing system
27 June 2011
Housing Minister Phil Heatley has announced that Housing New Zealand is introducing changes to the rules and policies around state tenancies to make the state housing system fairer.
From 1 July, Housing New Zealand will start using improved criteria to decide who gets in to state housing. All applicants will be recorded on a housing need register. Only those in the greatest need (A and B priority applicants) will be eligible for state housing, and will make up the Housing New Zealand’s waiting list.
Those with lower housing needs (C & D priority applicants) on the housing need register will not be part of the waiting list, and instead will be helped in to other types of housing through Housing New Zealand’s Options and Advice Service.
However, those C& D priority applicants already on Housing New Zealand’s waiting list at 1 July, will be able to remain there if they wish, and Housing New Zealand will continue to try to house them. No new C& D applicants will be added to the waiting list after 1 July.
From 1 July, all new state tenants will be subject to regular tenancy reviews to ensure they remain in need of a state house. The reviews will be conducted every three years, or when a tenant’s circumstances change. Those whose circumstances have improved will be gradually helped in to other types of housing, making room for some one in greater need from the waiting list.
Currently, when a tenant seriously breaches their tenancy responsibilities and has their tenancy ended, they can immediately reapply for state housing. In October, Housing New Zealand will also introduce a Suspensions Policy, in which tenants who have their tenancy ended will be declared ineligible for state housing for up to a year. More details on this policy will be available in October.
A fairer system of state housing - Frequently asked questions (PDF Document, 216kb)
