A $300 million boost to emergency housing is being welcomed, but some say it doesn't address the causes of homelessness.

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The Government money will create 1400 extra places for homeless families and individuals, with 600 of those in Auckland alone.

Rental subsidies will account for $71m, and $102m will be given to community providers to help tenants into more permanent housing.

Green Party social housing spokesperson Marama Davidson said it's a good start, but doesn't deal with the systemic problems causing an increase in homelessness.

"Governments are not willing to do that, but are trying to show that they can address the thousands of New Zealanders who have been crying out for action on homelessness."

Davidson said the wider problem of homelessness won't get better until the Government tackles the costs of building, and speculators in the property market.

She said there is "still a denial from National that there even is a housing crisis, and yet they are mopping up the mess and it is expensive."

NZ First is describing the government's emergency housing announcement as "poll-driven panic" while Labour accuses it of policy theft.

Party leader Winston Peters says the government has panicked under opinion poll pressure.

"National has got the drift that middle New Zealand is feeling uncomfortable that thousands of innocent Kiwis are in hardship," he said.

Labour's housing spokesman, Phil Twyford, said the government is copying his party's policy.

"National has announced funding for an extra 1400 emergency housing places, exactly what Labour announced back in July," he said.

"But there's no substitute for building houses ... the real solution is to stop pushing people off the cliff in the first place."

The Salvation Army is backing the government's announcement of extra funding.

Director of the Social Policy and Parliamentary unit at the Salvation Army Ian Hutson said in the long term what's really needed is more funding for permanent housing.

"We really recognise the fact that people are in a housing crisis right at the moment, and they need extensive support to get into housing. This is going to help with that."

Housing New Zealand will be responsible for the construction of the extra emergency housing we're set to see, and the Ministry of Social Development will determine who's eligible for the accommodation.

Additional reporting by NZ Newswire