The Anglican Church in Christchurch says a plan for low cost housing is needed to avoid the same mistakes made in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Reverend Jolyon White says a lot of low cost housing was lost in Christchurch's earthquakes and it is not covered by plans so far developed in the reconstruction.
He says people are staying longer in night shelters, the city's homeless population is growing and the waiting list for council housing is 200 strong.
Reverend White says the Department of Building and Housing must produce an overall plan to coordinate the different groups providing accommodation.
He says vulnerable people in New Orleans were forced from their communities in the aftermath of the hurricane because there was no overall plan.
The Department of Building and Housing says it cannot comment until next week.
