- Questions published
- Reply lodged
Asked by
Tamatha Paul
Member for Wellington Central · Green Party
Questions
-
17259
Has the Minister requested any advice, briefings, reports, aides-memoire, or any other document regarding reducing the Accommodation Supplement, if so, when?
-
17263
Has the Minister requested any advice, briefings, reports, aides-memoire, or any other document regarding reducing the Income-Related Rent Subsidy, if so, when?
-
17266
Has he directed the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development or the Ministry of Social Development to investigate any changes to the Accommodation Supplement, and if so, what changes?
-
17267
Has he directed the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development or the Ministry of Social Development to investigate any changes to the Income Related Rent Subsidy, and if so, when?
-
17269
What advice, briefings, reports, or aides-memoire, if any, has he received regarding reducing the Income-Related Rent Subsidy or the Accommodation Supplement, and if so, when?
-
17270
Has the Minister received any advice, briefings, reports, aides-memoire, or any other documents regarding reducing the Accommodation Supplement, if so, when?
Show the remaining 1 questions
-
17275
Has the Minister received any advice, briefings, reports, aides-memoire, or any other documents regarding reducing the Income-Related Rent Subsidy, if so, when?
Answered by
Hon Chris Bishop
Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Housing
Answer
The social housing system has long-standing issues - it is unfair, it is not well targeted to those in most need, and it traps people in social housing dependency. Officials have advised successive governments of issues in the system. In 2024, the Minister of Social Development and I asked Officials to investigate rising costs in housing subsidies, including the Accommodation Supplement and Income Related Rent Subsidy. We first received advice on these specific subsidies in September 2024. Officials advised that changes to housing subsidies should be considered in the context of broader changes to the social housing system. We agreed. Officials subsequently provided advice on a Review of the Social Housing System (RoSH), which Cabinet agreed to in April 2026. The review has produced many pieces of advice, including advice on changes to housing subsidies/supports. We will proactively release any related advice soon.