A Christchurch YMCA youth worker says she has serious concerns a housing shortage is forcing young people to live in cold, overcrowded accommodation coming into winter.
Sandy Turner says a purpose built housing facility for at-risk youth would help alleviate the housing shortage.
But she doubts such a facility will be built because it would be expensive and youth organisations are already under funding constraints.
She says she has noticed an increase of young people in need of suitable housing since the February 2011 earthquake.
Ms Turner says she deals with young people who have been brought up with drug and alcohol backgrounds and struggle to find suitable housing.
