Notice is given of the making of the following instrument by the Minister for Social Development and Employment.

A copy of the welfare programme is available for free at: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/about-msd/legislation/notice-of-change.html

This instrument under the Social Security Act 2018, which comes into force on 13 March 2023, is the Housing Support Programme and is made under section 101 of the Social Security Act 2018. The programme provides for the provision of one-off special financial assistance to help eligible people obtain and retain rental housing in New Zealand.

The programme streamlines and amends existing one-off housing related financial assistance provided by the Ministry of Social Development, and:

• replaces the Housing Support Assistance Programme which will be revoked on 13 March 2023;
• replaces the provision for one-off rental housing related financial assistance under the Recoverable Assistance Programme;
• makes the programme the primary vehicle under which one-off housing assistance is provided;
• increases the previous maxima of bond, rent in advance and rent arrears grants to reflect the applicants’ actual costs; and
• in some cases, increases the number of grants that can be provided.

The instrument is secondary legislation for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2019 and is administered by the Ministry of Social Development.

Dated this 8th day of February 2023.

Hon CARMEL SEPULONI, Minister for Social Development and Employment.