Psychoactive substance abuse is being blamed for the increase in younger people living on Tauranga's streets.
With the search continuing for a suitable site for a homeless shelter in Tauranga, one of Tauranga Moana Night Shelter Trust's founders Michael Mills said he believed a change in the demographic of homeless people was linked to legal highs.
Mr Mills said he was noticing more young people living on the streets and found it was often due to their friends and family becoming "exhausted" by their attitude and behaviour as a result of substance abuse.
"These people have been tossed out of home or off the couch," he said.
Mr Mills said there were about 35 homeless people in Tauranga and the trust was optimistic they could make a positive impact once they found a suitable building.
