The Salvation Army says there are so many homeless men in the cities where it provides a shelter it has to turn away people each night.
It says homelessness is an issue that flies under the radar of most people in New Zealand because it is not just about people on the streets. Many thousands of people are living in substandard, unhealthy conditions, who are desperate for a stable home.
The Salvation Army says shelter is a basic need and without it, life is a cycle of living on friends' couches and sleeping rough.
It says demand for its services was up by 40% during 2009 - the highest and quickest rise it has ever experienced.
However, the Salvation Army says it was able to meet the extra demand through $250,000 from the Government and a record amount donated by New Zealanders.
