Youth workers say an acute shortage of housing in central Auckland is compounding the problem of homelessness among young people.
The People's Project has housed 127 people in just over a year. Photo: 123RF
The youth development organisation Youthline deals with more than 1000 16- and 17-year-olds in central Auckland.
Practice team leader Mason Vincent said many struggled to get together a bond or have a landlord take them on because of their age.
He said many lacked basic skills such as cooking, cleaning and maintaining relationships with flatmates and landlords.
Mr Vincent said that left them with very limited accommodation options in the central city.
"We do have an arrangement with some student accommodation out in Point Chevalier. The other accommodation options are a few lodges around the city. Other than that, there are no other options, we really work hard to try and foster those family connections or friends that can take them in."