On 1 July 2026, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is now part of the new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.

Budget 2025 flexible fund opportunity

Last updated: 19 August 2026 We have completed the first stage of the inaugural Flexible Fund funding round.

Flexible Fund stage one complete

We have completed the first stage of the inaugural Flexible Fund funding round. 

We were encouraged by the strong response from across the housing sector.  Applications demonstrated a range of approaches to delivering housing outcomes, including partnerships between community housing providers, Māori organisations, investors and support service providers.

Applicants also put forward a wide range of ideas to improve outcomes for people experiencing housing need.  

Stage one outcomes

The stage one assessment identified 33 preferred delivery partners to progress to stage two of the application process. Together, these preferred delivery partners have proposed a total of 823 homes including social housing and affordable rentals across the investment locations identified in the first Housing Investment Plan. 

The proposals demonstrate strong potential to improve housing outcomes for the population groups identified in the investment plan as experiencing higher levels of housing need. This includes whānau Māori, Pacific peoples, older people, households with dependents and disabled people.  

The Ministry was encouraged by the strong quality of applications received, including strong partnerships and community connections, and a focus on improving outcomes for people in high housing need.  

The stage one assessment process identified several common strengths across applications, including: 

  • a range of partnership models and collaboration across organisations,
  • deep understanding of local housing needs and communities,
  • innovative use of external funding, land, and other assets,
  • a focus on achieving positive outcomes for people and whānau, alongside housing delivery, and
  • strong proposals from Māori housing providers and organisations.  

What happens next? 

The preferred delivery partners will be invited to progress to stage two of the application process. Stage two will commence from August 2026 and focus on confirming project details, including the final number of homes proposed for delivery.  

We expect this process will continue through to the end of 2026, with delivery of homes expected to begin from July 2027.  

We would like to thank all applicants that invested significant time and effort in developing proposals and contributing to the Flexible Fund stage one application process.  

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