Report shows 'desperate housing shortage'

According to the CAB, the housing situation has deteriorated in the last five years. Photo / Supplied

A new report shows a "desperate housing shortage" throughout New Zealand, the Citizens Advice Bureau says.

The Bureau says an analysis of over 2000 client enquiries about emergency accommodation showed "vulnerable families, pregnant women and children living in cars and garages" even after seeking assistance from Housing New Zealand and the Ministry of Social Development.

"The worst thing is that often we are unable to find people emergency accommodation, because there is a shortage nationwide," said Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) chief executive Kerry Dalton.

"This is very distressing for the people coming to us and for our volunteers, who cannot offer options to alleviate these desperate situations."

The CAB said the shortage was experienced not just in Auckland and Christchurch, but nationwide.

"For many individuals and families who have nowhere to live, the safety net that we all expect for ourselves and our fellow New Zealanders in times of desperate need is just not there," Ms Dalton said in a statement this morning.

She said the situation had deteriorated in the past five years.

The CAB said in the year to the end of June 2015, bureaux received over 3000 enquiries about emergency accommodation.

"Five years ago we had half that number. The tragedy is that, because of the shortage of emergency accommodation, in many instances CABs are not able to find suitable options for people. That's why we are speaking out."

Ms Dalton claimed the Government needed to do more to support both Housing New Zealand and Work and Income.