Housing N.Z. Suitable Homes

Accessible Housing

Suitable Homes is an advisory service provided by Housing New Zealand for people with physical disabilities, so they can continue to live independently at home.

If you live in New Zealand, have a long-term physical disability, and require structural modifications to your home, you may be eligible for the Suitable Homes service. You don't have to be a Housing New Zealand tenant - the house can be your own home or a home you rent.

How Suitable Homes works:

Suitable Homes provide advice to:

• help people with physical disabilities find homes that suit their needs, or homes that can be modified to meet their needs

• support people with disabilities who want to modify their existing home, whether it's their own or a rental.

They can give advice over the phone but will suggest a meeting if you haven't met before. To make the most of the meeting, you should be prepared to discuss your household and any concerns or health issues that you or your family have.

They have a limited number of modified homes. The information you provide will help them to identify how they can help you. Your eligibility may be affected if you have already had funding for home modifications.

Information you will need to provide:

They will want to know about your current situation, difficulties you are having, the kind of home you need to live independently in, and how much rent you can afford. We will also ask you about the other services or health professionals you work with, such as occupational therapists.

They may need proof that you and members of your household are New Zealand residents (such as passports, birth certificates or letters from the NZ Immigration Service).

They will also need information that confirms your income (such as pay slips, contracts or income statements from Work and Income or ACC) and expenses (such as weekly bills, hire purchase agreements, loan or credit card documents, medical costs, and your accounts for the telephone and power).

Interpreters and support people:

You can bring an interpreter to the meeting, or you can ask them to arrange one for you. You can also bring a family member, community worker or anyone else to support you. We can meet at your home if that suits you best.

Modifying your home:

If your home needs modifying, they will arrange for an occupational therapist to assess the changes needed. They can help you to prepare the modification plans and approach your landlord for approval if your home is rented privately.

If you get approval and you're eligible for government assistance, the occupational therapist will apply to the Ministry of Health or ACC for funding. As soon as the funding is approved and available, work can begin. The funder will oversee this and we will monitor progress.

Typical modifications include:

- a level access shower

- an accessible toilet

- ramped entrances

- widened doors/hallways

- lowered kitchen benches.

Moving to a new home:

If you need to move, they will help you find the right place. If it's a private rental property, an occupational therapist will assess its suitability and advise on modifications needed. This must be done before you sign a tenancy agreement. If it's a Housing New Zealand home, they will hold it for you while it's being assessed. If it's private or council-owned, they may help with rent payments during this time.

What the Suitable Homes service costs:

Their advice is free but does not cover funding for modifications. If you need modifications that you can't afford, you will have to get funding from other agencies. They can help with funding applications.

Other services:

We offer other services to landlords and the disability community including:

- advice, support and advocacy services for people with physical disabilities

- free marketing for landlords with vacant modified properties.

Contact the Suitable Homes service:

To find out more about Suitable Homes, visit your nearest neighbourhood unit or call them on 0800 801 601