Ahead of Budget 2026, the Government has confirmed changes are coming to social housing costs.

State housing tenants will pay a minimum 30 percent of their income on rent - up from 25 percent from next April.

Accommodation supplements for private renters will increase.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop says the current system doesn't work for taxpayers or Kiwis on the list for social housing.

"There's actually a lot of people on the social housing register who'd like to get in, but can't, because we've got this system where people are essentially trapped in social housing. And we've got a view in society that it's a social house fore life, when it actually should be timely and temporary."

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Ahead of Budget 2026, the Government has confirmed changes are coming to social housing costs.
State housing tenants will pay a minimum 30 percent of their income on rent - up from 25 percent from next April.
Accommodation supplements for private renters will increase.
Housing Minister Chris Bishop says the current system doesn't work for taxpayers or Kiwis on the list for social housing.
"There's actually a lot of people on the social housing register who'd like to get in, but can't, because we've got this system where people are essentially trapped in social housing. And we've got a view in society that it's a social house fore life, when it actually should be timely and temporary."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Chris Bishop: Housing Minister on the changes coming to social housing ahead of Budget 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c0cdb37f-bfa5-4ca4-a13f-b451006f7f75/transcript