Source: New Zealand Government
Thousands more New Zealanders will get access to warm, dry, secure homes through Budget 2026, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.
The Budget invests a further $69.2 million into the Flexible Fund to deliver between 1800 and 2250 additional social homes over three years starting from 2028/29.
“This investment will deliver many more homes for the New Zealanders who need them most,” Chris Bishop says.
“Since the Government was formed in late 2023, the social housing waitlist has reduced from 25,483 to 19,704. However, it’s clear there’s more work to do.”
The latest funding builds on the Government’s previous investments through Budgets 2024 and 2025 which funded more than 2700 social homes:
1500 social homes through Budget 2024 being delivered by Community Housing Providers.
Over 550 social homes in Auckland through Budget 2025.
Between 675 and 770 social homes and affordable rentals through the first investment into the Flexible Fund announced at Budget 2025.
“For too long, governments invested in social housing without a clear understanding of what was needed, where it was needed, and who was best placed to deliver it,” Mr Bishop says.
“In last year’s Budget, a new Flexible Fund was established to replace what had previously been a confusing patchwork of housing funds with a more targeted, contestable, and needs-based approach.
“The Flexible Fund enables the Government to respond to different needs in different parts of the country rather than force strong local housing proposals into rigid funding categories.
“In some places the greatest need is for one-bedroom homes. In others it may be larger homes for big families, or other tailored solutions.
“The fund also supports a wider range of providers, including community housing providers, Māori providers, and others, to bring forward proposals that meet local need.
“Taking into account the investments into the Flexible Fund through Budgets 2025 and 2026, we now have operating and capital funding for a four-year pipeline of social housing which can be flexibly used depending on need in place.
“Community housing providers often tell me they need longer-term certainty of consistent funding so they can plan their build pipeline further ahead. Today’s announcement will help them do that.”
Notes to editors:
All referenced funding amounts are across the forecast periods at the time (unless otherwise stated) and in all instances operating funding is provided into outyears.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/28/more-social-homes-better-targeted/