Supporting clients on the Public Housing Register – Budget 2022

We’re responding to increased demand to support New Zealanders with housing needs.

Government is investing $11.725 million over four years to allow the Ministry of Social Development to improve support for families on the Public Housing Register.

This initiative provides funding for the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to manage the Public Housing Register more effectively, and better support clients with serious housing needs.

• Due to pressure across the housing system and an increased demand for affordable and sustainable housing, the Public Housing Register has increased substantially in recent years. Because of this increase, MSD’s capacity to regularly contact clients on the register has reduced.
• The funding will allow for extra staff to be brought on to support MSD to make regular contact with people on the Register and ensure information about their housing needs is up to date.

This will help ensure MSD is able to contact people regularly to assess their housing needs, have up-to-date information and improve wellbeing for whānau in need of housing assistance.

• Clients and whānau will have their situation better understood and be matched, alongside housing providers, with properties that’ll meet their needs.
• Having up-to-date information will enable MSD to connect people in need with relevant financial supports.
• MSD will be able to more proactively support people in need, alleviate housing stress and prevent situations deteriorating further.

Costs (operating and capital)