Families in Auckland and Christchurch are suffering because of a lack of safe, affordable housing, the Salvation Army says - and the Government is not doing enough to help, Radio New Zealand reports.
It has released its eighth annual state of the nation report, this year called 'A Mountain All Can Climb', analysing a range of social welfare statistics.
That report says that housing being built in both Auckland and Christchurch is not affordable for those at the lower end of the markets, and that is leading to overcrowding and declining health.
Major Campbell Roberts, a principal advisor for the Salvation Army's Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, said the Government was taking action but not enough.
“It's a critical issue because if we don't address housing, then so many of the other things that we're trying to do, just fall over.”
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley said the Government is putting a lot of work into dealing with the housing shortage, but changes can't just happen overnight.
“Last year we saw twice as many houses being built as had been built the year before. That will pick up in speed.
“We accept, everyone understands that it is very difficult for people and we're doing the very best that we can.”
The Salvation Army also reported that child abuse and neglect has fallen, as has youth crime and teen pregnancy rates.