Income limits
Generally to qualify for social housing a client must be earning at or under the income limit for their household type. Assessable income is used to determine eligibility for social housing.
Household type and income limits are:
Client situation | Income limit (net) | Weekly income limit |
Single client without a partner, and no dependent children | 1.5 x the net weekly living alone rate of New Zealand Superannuation ($555.15 as at 1 April 2026) | $832.72 net |
Any other client | 1.5 x the net weekly married rate of New Zealand Superannuation ($854.08 as at 1 April 2026) | $1,281.12 net |
Note the assessable income details recorded during the assessment of social housing are also used to give an indication of the weekly rate of Income Related Rent.
From 1 July 2023, most types of Child Support are included as assessable income.
For more information see:
For more information see:
Legislation
- Ministerial direction to agency section 102 Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992
- Allocation of social housing section 129 Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992
- Ministerial Direction on Eligibility for Social Housing
