The Wellington City Council may look at co-owning its social housing stock with private sector community organisations.
A council committee will meet on Thursday to set the terms of reference for a social housing review.
Chairperson Paul Eagle says the ongoing $400 million upgrade to the council's 2300 social housing units would not be affected.
However, he said the review would probably consider setting up formal partnerships with organisations like the Salvation Army.
Mr Eagle said that would make tenants eligible for income-based rent subsidies, which are not available in council-owned flats.
A housing trust is frustrated with how long the council has taken to address what it calls a significant social housing shortage in Wellington.
Dwell Housing Trust director Alison Cadman said similar groups have successfully partnered with local governments overseas to increase social housing stock.
Ms Cadman said the trust has been talking with the council for years about a potential partnership.
Colin Legge, who lives in the council's Central Park housing complex in Brooklyn, said groups such as the Salvation Army did not have the skills to run what was effectively a large business.
He also did not believe they would be able to sustain the rent subsidy he currently received.
