Public housing advocates are accusing the Government of shifting money away from vulnerable families and into the hands of property investors following planned increases for state and community housing tenants.
Public Housing Futures spokesperson Vanessa Cole says the changes will place even more pressure on thousands of low-income households already struggling through the cost-of-living crisis.
The criticism follows Government moves that will see many state and community housing tenants paying more in rent, while the Accommodation Supplement paid to private landlords continues to grow.
Housing campaigners argue the policy effectively transfers public money into the private rental market instead of investing in more affordable public housing.
Advocates say the impact will be severe for families already facing rising food, electricity and transport costs, warning even small weekly increases can force households deeper into hardship.
Concerns are also growing over Government plans to review tenancy rules for state housing, with fears longer-term housing security could be weakened as more people are pushed toward the private rental market.
Housing groups say the private rental sector is failing to provide affordable and stable homes for many whānau, particularly as rents continue climbing across Aotearoa.
Campaigners argue state housing was originally designed to provide long-term affordable housing and should remain a core public service rather than temporary emergency accommodation.
The announcement adds to growing criticism over wider housing policy changes, including cuts to Kāinga Ora staffing, the cancellation of thousands of planned state homes, and the sale of public housing properties.
Anti-poverty advocates say the changes will disproportionately affect Māori, Pasifika and low-income communities already overrepresented in housing insecurity statistics.
State housing tenant and anti-poverty campaigner Agnes Magele says many families rely on Government support simply to survive rising living costs, warning reductions in assistance and rent increases could deepen poverty across communities.
The Government has also announced changes to Temporary Additional Support payments, prompting concern from social agencies who say many families now rely on the assistance long-term because of ongoing housing and financial pressures.
Housing advocates are calling for renewed investment in public housing construction, arguing large-scale state house building would create jobs while providing stable homes for thousands of New Zealanders.
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