The Christchurch City Council has been providing rental accommodation for people in Christchurch who have a genuine need for housing for 70 years.

It was the first local authority in New Zealand to provide for those in real need of affordable accommodation. It started by providing for the elderly, and has grown to provide for the needs of a wide diversity of people in our city including those with disabilities.

City Housing Vision

“To contribute to the community’s well-being by ensuring safe, accessible and affordable social housing is available to people on low incomes including elderly persons, and people with disabilities”.

The City Council has built up a social housing portfolio second only in size to Housing New Zealand Corporation.

The City Council’s rental accommodation operates under the name City Housing. It does not use ratepayers’ funds to operate. Rents charged by City Housing are significantly cheaper than market rates.