Who can get public housing

Age

You must be 16 or older.

Residency

If you're getting a main benefit from us (e.g. Jobseeker Support), you meet the residency criteria.

If you don't get a main benefit from us, you need to meet one of these residency criteria:

• you're a New Zealand citizen
• you have a resident visa or permanent resident visa and have lived in NZ continuously for at least 2 years since getting it
• you're recognised as a refugee by Immigration New Zealand
• you're recognised as a protected person by Immigration New Zealand, or
• you either:
  • have a Christchurch Response Visa, or
  • get a Special Needs Grant because you came to New Zealand on a temporary visa to be with your NZ partner and your relationship ended due to domestic violence.

You must have a serious housing need. This means we'll look at things like:

• your current housing situation, including:
  • the property's physical condition
  • if the property has basic living facilities
  • over-crowding
  • how secure your tenancy is
• whether your current property or area is safe for you and suitable for your medical or physical needs
• whether you could afford to rent privately
• how difficult it is to find a private rental that meets your needs
• whether you could manage long term in a private rental.

Generally you need to have:

• income under:
  • $807.63 a week (after tax) if you're single with no children
  • $1,242.51 a week (after tax) if you have a partner or children
• cash assets worth less than $42,700.

If you have income or assets worth more than this, you may still qualify for public housing. It depends on your situation.