Introduction

An Emergency Housing Grant is a last resort payment for clients with an immediate emergency housing need.

It can be used to pay for emergency accommodation when a client cannot remain where they are and don't have access to other accommodation adequate for their needs in the short-term.

A client does not have to be getting a benefit to qualify for this assistance, but they must meet all qualifications including an income and asset test.

Emergency housing is short-term accommodation. It is for individuals, their partner and dependent children (if any) who have an urgent need for housing.

This may be because:

• they cannot stay in their usual place of residence (for example, they have been asked to leave or there are safety concerns) and
• they do not have access to other accommodation adequate for their needs

Emergency housing provides a stable place for people to stay while their needs can be understood and addressed, and other suitable accommodation is being found.

Other accommodation may include short-term, or longer-term options.

The Emergency Housing Grant pays for emergency accommodation provided by an emergency housing supplier. An emergency housing supplier may be a:

• commercial provider (e.g. motels, hostels, camping grounds), or
• community based provider (e.g. housing providers, night shelters, marae)

If a client qualifies for an Emergency Housing Grant, MSD will need to approve a Security Deposit Grant for the client, before their stay in emergency housing.

The types of costs that are covered by a Security Deposit Grant include, but are not limited to, the actual and reasonable costs of:

• damage to the property (intentional or unintentional) caused by the client and anyone staying with the client (including guests)
• loss relating to the client's failure to meet the emergency housing supplier’s rules of stay

Note Security Deposit Grants can also be approved for clients moving into transitional housing or contracted emergency housing. Transitional or contracted emergency housing are funded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Payment of the security deposit to the emergency housing supplier, transitional or contracted emergency housing provider can only be paid when:

• the supplier or provider makes a claim that it is needed to cover the actual and reasonable cost incurred for loss and damage and
• the client agrees with the amount claimed by the supplier or provider, or the client has failed to check out

Security Deposit Grants are always recoverable from the client.