Pursuant to section 101 of the Social Security Act 2018, notice is given of the making of the following instrument by the Minister for Social Development.

A copy of the instrument is available free at: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/about-msd/legislation/notice-of-change.html.

This instrument, which comes into force on 6 July 2020, amends the Housing Support Assistance Programme made on 26 June 2014 and saved by Clause 21 of Schedule 1 of the Social Security Act 2018.

The amendment increases the maximum grant of rent arrears assistance from $2000 to $4000 and removes the requirement that applicants are only eligible for rent arrears assistance if they are not eligible for other financial assistance for rent arrears which is payable to them under the Social Security Act 2018. These amendments will be revoked on 1 January 2021. This instrument also replaces references to the Housing Restructuring and Tenancy Matters Act 1992 with references to the Public and Community Housing Management Act 1992.

The instrument is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of the Legislation Act 2012 and is administered by the Ministry for Social Development.

Dated this 19th day of June 2020.

Hon CARMEL SEPULONI, Minister for Social Development.