accommodation supplement
accommodation supplement can help with the cost of a young person's housing
who can get it
Taiohi can get accommodation Supplement if they:
- have accommodation costs
- are over 16
- are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- normally live in New Zealand and intend to stay here
- are not paying rent for a public (social) housing property. Public housing properties are provided by:
- Kāinga Ora (used to be Housing New Zealand), and
- approved community housing providers.
It also depends on:
- how much they earn, and
- any money or assets they have.
how much they can get
How much a young person can get will depend on:
- their income
- their assets
- their accommodation costs
- their family circumstances
- the board or rent payments they receive
- where they live.
Call YSSU to find out how much the young person may be able to get.
how we assess board or rent payments taiohi get
Since 2 March 2026, we include all board payments when we calculate housing subsidies, like Accommodation Supplement.
This means, if young people get board or rent payments from others living with them, their Accommodation Supplement or other housing subsidies may change.
what you need to do
Step one – determine if the young person is paying rent or board.
You are considered to be renting when the amount you pay is for your accommodation only and doesn’t include other costs such as food or electricity.
You are not considered a boarder if you have flatmates where you are all sharing costs such as accommodation and food
You are considered to be boarding when the amount you pay includes accommodation, food and utility costs when:
- You’re not listed on the tenancy agreement
This includes people living in a boarding house (with food provided) or social housing property and you are not the head tenant
Note: young people who own homes may be able to get Accommodation Supplement too. Learn more here:
Home ownership costs covered by Accommodation Supplement | map
Step two – support the young person to fill in the Accommodation Supplement form or boarders declaration form
Accommodation Supplement Application form | Youth Service Editable Forms
Board and rent information form | Youth Service Editable Forms
Step three – submit the ART task
Task category: Reviews
Task type: Accommodation Assistance - Change of Address/Accommodation Costs or
Next steps
YSSU will contact you or push the task back to you if they need more information.
YSSU will send you a notification via ART to let you know the outcome of the application.