Staying in accommodation for more than 28 days

To qualify for an Accommodation Security Cover Grant a client should intend to be staying in accommodation for at least 28 days. This is because the client should be able to keep their accommodation when an Accommodation Security Cover Grant is made.

MSD can consider granting an Accommodation Security Cover Grant when the client is staying for less than 28 days on a discretionary basis.

When a client requests an Accommodation Security Cover Grant for accommodation that they will stay in for less than 28 days, MSD should consider if:

• the client is likely to require emergency housing if an Accommodation Security Cover Grant is not granted.
• there will be an impact to the client, their spouse or partner, and/or their children if the Accommodation Security Cover Grant is not granted
• a short-term grant will make it more likely for the client to stay in accommodation long-term. For example, a boarding house owner will only accept the client for a week to see how things go before they commit to the client staying long-term
• the client has long-term accommodation arranged, but requires a short-term grant somewhere else before the accommodation is available. For example, they need to stay with their friend for 2 weeks before their rental tenancy begins

Example 1

Ripeka has applied for an Accommodation Security Cover Grant to move into a her friend’s house for 2 and a half weeks. Her previous accommodation ended as the head tenant and other flatmates are moving out and Ripeka cannot afford to rent the property on her own.

The friend’s flatmate is moving back in after 2 and a half weeks so Ripeka cannot stay any longer. They have requested that Ripeka provide an assurance that she can pay for any damages as they are worried that their landlord might have an issue with a new person staying and risk their tenancy. Ripeka can afford the ongoing costs of the accommodation but would not be able to afford any unexpected damages.

Ripeka has already been paid 1 Accommodation Security Cover Grant in the last 52 weeks. There is no other accommodation available and her only alternative would be to apply for emergency housing.

MSD decides to conditionally grant the Accommodation Security Cover Grant due to Ripeka’s circumstances, and advises her to continue looking for accommodation that she can keep. 

Example 2

Dylan is moving out of a flat in Wellington where they’re a tenant because they want to move to Auckland to look for work. They apply for an Accommodation Security Cover Grant to move into their friend’s place in Auckland for two weeks while the friend’s flatmate is on holiday.

MSD declines the Accommodation Security Cover Grant because Dylan is moving out of long-term accommodation into short term accommodation and they have contributed to the need for a grant.