UPDATED 12.45pm: Some of Auckland's homeless may be put up in motels thanks to a two million funding boost for emergency housing.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett said the extra money will fund up to 120 places a year for homeless families and individuals, with support to help them find longer-term housing.

The move comes after a West Auckland group asked for extra help after running a successful pilot in Christchurch, where the Government has funded the agency to lease a 19-unit motel to house homeless families for up to eight weeks.

At the end of June, the organisation had 941 Auckland households on its social housing waiting in severe need of immediate help.

Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett said many NGOs are eager to get involved.

'I have seen NGOs that welcome this work, they're saying it's the first time they've had a social housing minister - ever - and our focus is really on more permanent places."

To that end, the Government denies its shrugging off its responsibilities by increasingly involving the non-profit sector in its social programmes.

Bennett said its part of a range of solutions aimed at long-term results.

"This is not a night shelter. So those are different. So this is really a transitional housing so we can help people in emergency situations, and get them into a situation where they can go on to more."