An admission from the Government today that the number of people facing acute housing problems has grown over the past two years.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett couldn't put a number on it but acknowledges it's getting worse, however said there are a number of things taking place that'll alleviate it.

Ms Bennett said it's a very real issue for people who find themselves without a roof over their heads, but work is being done to keep up with demand for new houses.

"This isn't a brand new problem. I've been working on it since early last year - I had a task force put together. It is something that we as the Government take seriously."

However, she said there's no quick fix solution.

"I literally could go out every week and open new houses if I wanted to, but I'm just too busy to do it.

"It can't happen overnight, but we're not starting it now, we started in years ago, and already we can see those new houses coming onboard."

Ms Bennett doesn't think curbing immigration's the answer. She said if they did that they'd be closing the door to skills that are needed here.

Labour's housing spokesman Phil Twyford said her comments are a step in the right direction.

"As we know, for people who are addicts for example, admitting that they have a problem - that's the first step towards redemption, and I hope this is Paula Bennett's first step.

"But, we'll only take this acknowledgement of the housing crisis seriously if it's accompanied by real policy."