What service providers do

Sustaining Tenancies service providers work with tenants on issues that are putting their tenancy at risk.

Those issues could range from struggling to pay their rent, to dealing with mental or physical health concerns, or risk factors such as addiction or family violence.

Support is tailored for each individual or whānau. Support services will work with tenants to see what they need and to develop a whānau-led plan. The type and level of support services they receive will be based on this plan and could include:

  • advocacy with landlords
  • advocacy and support to navigate social and health services
  • referral to budgeting services
  • life skills coaching.

When tenants are on track with their whānau-led goal plan and are no longer at risk of losing their tenancy, the support service will work with them on a new plan that will see them no longer needing to use Sustaining Tenancies’ services.

Guidance for providers of Sustaining Tenancies

See guidelines on business processes, administrative functions and recommended interactions between contracted Sustaining Tenancies providers and Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

If you're a contracted provider offering Sustaining Tenancies services, uses these guidelines to meet your obligations.

Sustaining Tenancies operational guidelines

How service providers reach out to tenants

Tenants can refer themselves or be referred by another agency or community organisation. Support service providers can reach out to tenants through:

  • government departments and agencies
  • public and private landlords and tenancy services
  • local Māori organisations and iwi
  • local GPs and health navigators
  • local community organisations.

Find more information about Sustaining Tenancies.