Who do I apply to if I want to get on a waiting list for social housing?
Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992, s 100; Public and Community Housing Management (Appointment of Agency and Regulatory Authority) Order 2018
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) assesses whether people qualify for subsidised state or community housing – called “social” housing. MSD is the government department that deals with benefits and other forms of income support through Work and Income (which is part of MSD) and other MSD units. The MSD unit responsible for social housing is sometimes referred to as “Centralised Unit – Housing”.
To find out if you qualify for government-subsidised social housing, contact Work and Income on 0800 559 009 – or, if you’re 65 or older, contact MSD‘s Senior Services unit on 0800 552 002.
The first step will be an initial screening assessment, which may be done over the phone. Someone from MSD will ask you questions about your housing needs, your current living arrangements, your weekly income and so on. If they find you meet the qualifying criteria, you’ll next have a full needs assessment (usually face to face) to decide how high your housing need is and where you’ll be on the social housing waiting list.