New Applicants - How to Apply
Any person or family with a low income and/or genuine housing need can apply for housing assistance.
City Housing will assess your eligibility by a number of criteria based on your application and in a personal interview with the Allocation Advisor.
If you are eligible for assistance, you will be placed on a housing waiting list until a suitable unit becomes available.
- Eligibility Information
- City Housing Application Form (157Kb PDF)
Completing Your Application
To apply for City Housing, you need to provide a range of personal information and documentation and must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
Primary Applicant
If your partner or family members do not have New Zealand permanent residency, City Housing may only accept the application if you can show they have a genuine relationship with you. These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
City Housing will not process any incomplete or inaccurate applications.
Identification
All adults 18 years old and over included in your application must provide either one form of identification from Category A, or one from Category B and one from Category C.
Children in your application under 18 years old must provide one document from either Category A or Category B.
Category A
- New Zealand Passport
- Overseas Passport (with New Zealand Immigration Permanent Residence Visa or Permit)
- New Zealand Immigration Service Certificate of Identity (Refugee ID card)
Category B
- Birth Certificate for those born in New Zealand, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau
- Certificate of Naturalisation
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Community Services Card
- Marriage Certificate (showing place of birth)
- Residency Certificate
- Letter from the New Zealand Immigration Service confirming residency status
Category C
- Current New Zealand Driver's Licence
- Current student ID
- New Zealand 18+ card
- Other valid photo IDs
Proof of Income
All adults 18 years old and over included in your application must provide us with a summary of earnings from Inland Revenue for the past 12 months and information about your source(s) of income.
Documentation
Wages or Salary
If you receive income from wages or salary, we need one of the following:
- a letter or statement from your employer stating how much you earn after tax each week
- four recent consecutive weekly payslips or two recent fortnightly payslips.
Social Welfare Benefits and Financial Assistance
If you receive income from a benefit (including National Superannuation) or non-benefit financial assistance from Work and Income, we need one of the following:
- a 52-week income statement from Work and Income
- a Statement of Income (SWIFTT) from Work and Income showing a breakdown of the payments.
ACC Payments and Student Loans and Allowances
If you receive income from ACC or StudyLink, we need an income statement showing a breakdown of the payments.
Self-employment
If you are self-employed, we need a recent full financial statement of accounts as verified by Inland Revenue or your accountant.
No Income
If you are 18 years old or over and do not receive any income, we need one of the following:
- a statement or letter from the school you are enrolled with, if you are a full-time secondary student
- a statement from Inland Revenue.
Proof of Asset
We need proof of any assets you may have. The following documents are accepted as proof:
- recent monthly bank statements
- share, bond or investment certificates
- statement from superannuation funds providers
- latest Property Valuation Certificate.
Proof of Housing Cost
If you are currently paying rent or board, we need one of the following as proof:
- tenancy agreement or rent-increasing notice from the landlord indicating the current rent, or rent book or receipts
- a letter from the household member who is charging board
- a 52-week income statement from Work and Income which shows the rent you are paying
- a current bank statement showing automatic rent payments.
Other Supporting Documents
If you or anyone living with you included in your application need specialist (eg medical) support to help you sustain your tenancy, provide us with one of the following:
- a medical certificate or support letter from your specialist detailing your medical information and the type of property required
- a letter from your support agency detailing your circumstances and needs.
Related Links
Department Details:
City Housing
