The Government has dropped plans to cap state house numbers, in a move to bolster the number available in the South Auckland area.
More than 2,200 families are on the waiting list for state houses in South Auckland, and of those 1,300 are on the high priority list.
Last week, Housing Minister Phil Heatley said the number of state houses would be capped and more funding put into improvements to the homes such as insulation.
However, Mr Heatley says the briefing he has received as a new minister showed a serious need for more state houses in South Auckland and as a result there will be no cap on numbers.
Instead, he says, there will be an increase in state houses in that area, as well as better management of them.
Mr Heatley said because of the shambolic condition many state houses are in, the priority remains upgrading these houses across the country.
Mangere Budgeting and Family Support Services chief executive Darryl Evans said it is tremendous news that there will an increase in state houses in South Auckland.
Mangere has 726 families on the waiting list, the highest number in South Auckland.
Mr Evans estimates between 1,000 and 2,000 families live in garages throughout South Auckland.
He said some families are spending 70% to 80% of their total household income on private rentals.
