This instrument is made under section 124(1)(d) of the Social Security Act 1964 by the Minister for Social Development.

Instrument

1. Title

This instrument is the Housing Support Assistance Amendment 2017.

2. Commencement

This instrument comes into force on 15 January 2018.

3. Principal programme

This instrument amends the Housing Support Assistance Programme (as established and approved on 26 June 2014 and published in the New Zealand Gazette, 3 July 2014, Issue No. 70, page 1975) (“principal programme”).

4. Clause 4 amended (Interpretation)

In clause 4(1), definition of relocation from Auckland assistance, after “under”, insert “former”.

5. Clause 6A amended (Relationship between Parts 2, 3, and 4)

1. In the heading to clause 6A, replace “and 4” with “and former Part 4”.
2. In clause 6A(3), after “under” where it first appears, insert “former”.

6. Part 4 revoked (Relocation from Auckland assistance)

Revoke Part 4.

7. New Clause 65 inserted

After clause 64, insert as new clause 65:

65 Transitional provisions for revocation of Part 4

(1) Despite the revocation of Part 4 by the Housing Support Assistance Amendment 2017, the chief executive may, under clause 6, grant and pay assistance under that Part as if it had not been revoked to an applicant who had been assessed by the department as eligible for that assistance before 15 January 2018 and who the chief executive considers has changed his or her circumstances in reliance on the availability of that assistance as a result of that assessment, whether or not payment of the assistance would be made after 15 January 2018.

(2) If an applicant was granted relocation from Auckland assistance under Part 4 before its revocation, the chief executive must complete payment of the grant under that Part as if that Part had not been revoked.

(3) A relocation from Auckland establishment grant (whether made before or after the revocation of Part 4) becomes recoverable, or continues to be recoverable, in accordance with former clause 64 and that clause continues to apply as if it had not been revoked.

Dated at Wellington this 12th day of December 2017.

Hon CARMEL SEPULONI, Minister for Social Development.

Explanatory note

This note is not part of the instrument, but is intended to indicate its general effect.

This instrument, which comes into force on 15 January 2018, amends the Housing Support Assistance Programme (“Programme”) under the Social Security Act 1964 (“Act”). It revokes Part 4 of the Programme in regard to relocation from Auckland assistance but inserts transitional provisions for applicants who have previously been assessed as eligible for assistance under that Part. Relocation from Auckland assistance may still be granted in the chief executive’s discretion to applicants who have changed their circumstances in reliance on the availability of that assistance as a result of the assessment. It also continues Part 4 in regard to those who have been part paid or whose grant becomes recoverable.