Notice is given of the making of the following instrument by the Minister for Social Development and Employment.

A copy of the instrument is available for 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 30 December 2020, amends the Housing Support Assistance Programme given on 26 June 2014 and made under the Social Security Act 1964 (and saved by Clause 21 of Schedule 1 of the Social Security Act 2018).

The amendment extends the temporary changes made to rent arrears assistance to 30 June 2021. The temporary changes were made pursuant to the Housing Support Assistance Amendment 2020 and increased the maximum grant of rent arrears assistance from $2000 to $4000. The requirement that applicants are only eligible for rent arrears assistance if they are not eligible for other financial assistance for rent arrears was also removed. It also replaces references to the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (RTA) to reflect amendments made under the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2020. It also clarifies that applicants who are subject to a final termination order or termination notice under the RTA are not eligible for rent arrears assistance.

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

This instrument is administered by the Ministry of Social Development.

Dated this 21st day of December 2020.

Hon CARMEL SEPULONI, Minister for Social Development and Employment.