Updated 6:40pm: The Ministry of Social Development is concerned homeless youth in Auckland are claiming they can't access Government assistance.

Teenagers as young as 16 have been discovered living in a New Lynn bush and bathing in a nearby stream.

Community groups assisting the homeless say many teenagers they come across say they were previously living in foster care they didn't feel safe in, and also do not have the resources to gain employment.

A ministry spokesperson has told Newstalk ZB they want to hear from all youth who need help, because they do have a wide range of support services.

A community help service says Auckland's property market is pushing more people onto the streets, and into tents and bushes.

Teenagers as young as 16 have been discovered living in a New Lynn bush and bathing in a nearby stream.

Lifewise's Moira Lawler said it's harder for youth to access employment, and those under 18 are not considered an adult so are not eligible for income support.

"Homelessness is worse in places with an acute housing shortage, people are homeless and kind of congregate in and around centres all through Auckland actually through a number of the suburbs."

Ms Lawler adds it's particularly bad in South and West Auckland because there are large youth populations in those areas.

Another group that assists homeless in Auckland said youth who don't feel safe at home are being forgotten or fobbed off by social services.

Homeless of Auckland City spokesman Rhys Abraham said many teenagers they come across have out-grown Child Youth and Family care but are still not classed as adults so it's difficult for them to get support.

"A lot of them were from foster care or CYFS families that they felt were not safe or places they could live and they would rather be on the street."

Mr Abraham said some people have been on the streets for so long they couldn't imagine living any other way.