Abstract
Queer communities—used here as an inclusive umbrella encompassing Takatāpui and LGBTIQ+ identities—continue to face significant and often overlooked challenges in accessing safe, secure and affirming housing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Although 2023 Census data indicate that one in 20 adults identify as queer, there remains a critical lack of research and policy engagement with their specific housing and wellbeing needs. These inequities are compounded by systemic discrimination, social marginalisation and the ongoing absence of queer perspectives in mainstream housing and health discourse. This study responds to these gaps through a qualitative open-text survey distributed via Rainbow Housing NZ, a private online forum administered by Gender Minorities Aotearoa. With over 5000 members, the platform functions as a peer-led network for queer individuals seeking housing or offering queer-affirming spaces. The survey investigates participants’ lived experiences navigating the housing system, the barriers encountered and the strategies employed to create safety, stability and belonging. Preliminary findings reveal persistent concerns around affordability, discrimination and safety, alongside innovative, community-based practices of care, resilience and mutual support. The study calls for equity-focused housing supports and policy reform as fundamental to inclusive public health, social justice and human wellbeing.