A Christchurch community group wants a hostel to be built to accommodate the increasing number of young people who are struggling to find housing.
The St John of God Waipuna Trust says an increasing number of young people have been looking for accommodation since the recent damaging earthquakes.
The trust provides housing information and advocacy. It says between September 2010 and February 2011, it took on 10 people aged 17 to 25 in desperate need of housing.
This year, it says the programme has taken on 52 new young people.
Housing programme leader Paul McMahon says a hostel would help to temporarily house young people who are living in overcrowded, damp conditions.
Mr McMahon says the Government needs to take the lead to protect the city's most vulnerable and fund the hostel.
A Government survey shows the quakes made 7000 people homeless, but it did not know how many are young people.
