An increasing number of people are seeking emergency accommodation in Whangarei.

The local Tai Tokerau Emergency Housing Charitable Trust says since January, inquiries have jumped from about 29 per month, to 40, and it's having to turn families away because it just doesn't have the space to house them.

Chairperson Adrian Whale said some of those left homeless have moved back up from Auckland, because they can no longer afford to live there.

"Another reason [people are moving back] is the number of families being evicted from private rental accommodation in Whangarei - it's just becoming less and less affordable for families in this city," he said.

What's most worrying, he said, is that the Trust is seeing an increase in homeless families where at least one parent is working.

He said that increase in demand has been the biggest change.

"Even in full time jobs - if people are on wages and still not being able to afford accommodation and are needing help from us, who we call the landlord of last resort, it's a pretty serious situation," he said.

The Trust can currently house eight families, and is hoping to double this to meet the overwhelming demand.