The Minister of Social Development says she plans to set up supported flatting for at-risk teenagers.
Paula Bennett told a symposium in Wellington on the impact of poverty on learning on Friday that she wants to set up the flats in state houses.
She says the flats will be for young people aged 16 to 20 who are at risk of being homeless.
Mrs Bennett says non-government organisations will give the young people support and help them toward independence.
She says her office is still working on the idea, but she hopes to open the first flats in two or three months.
Mrs Bennett says three homes should be introduced over the next six months.
The Salvation Army is supportive of the idea.
Captain Tim Malton says the young people they help are some of society's most vulnerable.
"If they've come from an uncertain background even obtaining ID for them, obtaining bank accounts, is a real challenge and they end up not being able to get into the system to get the support that they require.
"They've got a choice of living in an unsuitable situation; for the girls it's living with people that are maybe going to take advantage of the situation.
He says they struggle to obtain bank accounts or proper identification and are often preyed upon by adults.
He says his organisation provides a roof for nine young people at any one time but he believes the demand is much higher.
