New units created from a former City Mission building will help provide emergency relief for homeless families in Christchurch.
The Christchurch City Council and the Government are each putting $100,000 into the project, which will create three or four emergency units for families.
Christchurch deputy mayor Vicki Buck, said the council's housing committee agreed on Tuesday to contribute because of the city's desperate housing shortage, which has reached crisis point.
City Missioner Michael Gorman said he's heard of people living in sheds and 15 people living in a three-bedroom house.
He said the accommodation will provide immediate relief, and then services will work with the families to find permanent homes.