Unveiling the University of Otago's Landmark Research on Disability and Emergency Housing

New Zealand's housing crisis has long cast a shadow over vulnerable populations, but a recent study from the University of Otago's Wellington campus sheds critical light on one particularly overlooked group: disabled individuals. Published in early 2026 in the International Journal on Homelessness, the research titled "People with Disabilities in Emergency Housing: An Analysis of a National Administrative Database" reveals stark disparities in how disabled New Zealanders interact with the emergency housing system. Led by researchers including Dr. Chang Yu, Mary Buchanan, and Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman, this work draws on vast administrative datasets to quantify the overreliance of disabled people on temporary motel accommodations meant for mere seven-day stays.

The findings underscore a systemic failure: disabled Kiwis not only enter emergency housing more frequently but also endure longer tenures there, trapped by barriers to accessible private rentals. This publication arrives at a pivotal moment, as New Zealand grapples with rising homelessness rates and an aging population projected to amplify disability prevalence.

The Emergency Housing System in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Quick Primer

Emergency housing in New Zealand primarily operates through the Ministry of Social Development's (MSD) Emergency Housing Special Needs Grants, introduced in 2016. These grants fund short-term stays in motels or similar accommodations for those facing immediate homelessness, with an intended maximum of seven days while individuals search for stable tenancy. In practice, however, average durations stretch to three to six months, and some cases extend up to three years, lacking basic tenancy rights and often featuring unsuitable conditions like cramped rooms without cooking facilities or accessibility features.

By late 2025, thousands of households relied on this system monthly, with data files from MSD breaking down usage by territorial authority, age, ethnicity, and household type—but notably silent on disability status directly. This gap is what the Otago study fills, linking grant records to broader datasets for a comprehensive view of disabled overrepresentation.

Methodology: Harnessing National Data for Robust Insights

The study's methodological rigor stems from Stats NZ's Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), a gold-standard resource combining census, tax, and benefit records for de-identified longitudinal analysis. Researchers examined emergency housing grant approvals from 2016 to 2022, capturing 65,000 unique individuals—6,800 identified as disabled.

Disability was operationalized per the World Health Organization's framework: impairments in vision, hearing, mobility, cognition, self-care, or communication, flagged via benefit receipt (e.g., Disability Allowance) or 2018 Census self-reports linked to Inland Revenue data. Statistical models, including regression analyses, compared entry rates (odds of grant approval) and length-of-stay metrics between disabled and non-disabled cohorts, controlling for confounders like age, ethnicity, and income.

• Entry frequency: Disabled individuals averaged 6.2% more entries into emergency housing.
• Average stay extension: 2.6 additional days per episode.
• Income integration: Annual earnings calculated including benefits.

Key Statistics: Quantifying the Disparity

At its core, the research quantifies a troubling pattern. Disabled New Zealanders accessed emergency housing 6% more often (precisely 6.2% in raw entries) than their non-disabled peers and lingered 5% longer (2.6 days on average). Here's a snapshot in table form:

Against New Zealand's average annual rent of $29,000, these figures paint a picture of acute unaffordability.

Demographics of Disabled Emergency Housing Users

Disabled users skewed toward mobility impairments, which demand specific adaptations like ramps and handrails—features rare in the private rental market. Women and Māori were overrepresented, mirroring broader homelessness trends but amplified by disability intersections. Ages ranged widely, but older adults (projected to rise with population aging) faced compounded risks, as 35% of those over 65 report disabilities per 2023 Census projections.

Dr. Chang Yu notes: "Those with mobility issues have a much smaller pool of rental housing to choose from." This demographic lens highlights intersectional vulnerabilities, urging targeted interventions.

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Barriers: Why Accessible Housing Remains Elusive

Private rentals dominate New Zealand's market (96% of stock), yet lack mandates for universal design. Public housing via Kāinga Ora targets 15% accessibility in new builds, but constitutes just 4% total.University of Otago Newsroom Landlords cite costs, while disabled tenants face discrimination or inability to modify properties. Low incomes, compounded by benefit caps, seal the cycle.

• Physical inaccessibility: No ramps, narrow doors.
• Affordability gap: Rents exceed incomes.
• Discrimination: Implicit biases in lettings.

Human Impact: Prolonged Stays in Motel Limbo

Intended as a bridge, emergency motels become quagmires. Families endure isolation, children miss schooling, and health deteriorates without proper facilities. For disabled individuals, unsuitable environments exacerbate conditions—think mobility challenges in multi-story motels without elevators. The study warns of social exclusion, denying control over living spaces.

Researcher Recommendations: Pathways to Reform

The Otago team calls for bold action: rent price regulation to curb $29,000 averages, mandates for private-sector accessibility, and expanded public housing quotas. Dr. Yu emphasizes: "The Government needs to... increase the supply of accessible public and private housing." Integrating universal design from the outset could prevent future crises.

Interested in public health research? Explore research jobs advancing housing equity at New Zealand universities.

Higher Education's Pivotal Role in Housing Research

Universities like Otago drive evidence-based policy through IDI analyses. Professor Howden-Chapman's longstanding work on housing-health links exemplifies this. Aspiring researchers can contribute via faculty positions or career advice on academic CVs.

Broader Homelessness Landscape and Disability Intersections

NZ's homelessness rate leads OECD per capita, with 102,123 affected in 2018 Census terms. HUD's 2025 insights report rising trends, while Salvation Army notes falling support funding.HUD Homelessness Insights Disability amplifies risks, with 414.5 per 10,000 housing-deprived vs. 203.7 for non-disabled.

Photo by Petra Reid on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Aging Population and Policy Shifts

With disability rates climbing, inaction risks escalation. Emerging solutions include Housing First models and tech-enabled accessibility audits. Policymakers must heed the study to foster inclusive tenancy.

For NZ-specific opportunities, check New Zealand academic jobs.

Conclusion: Toward Equitable Housing for All Kiwis

This Otago publication galvanizes action for disabled New Zealanders trapped in emergency housing cycles. By amplifying research voices, we pave the way for reforms. Engage further via Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, career advice, or university jobs. Share your insights in comments below.