UPDATED: 7.41am There is a call for more permanent social housing solutions in Canterbury, rather than the Government's latest 'quick fix'.

This follows the Social Housing Minister's announcement of a $41.1 million package for emergency housing grants for the next four years.

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The money will go to 3000 social housing places nationwide every year - roughly half will be in Auckland, while around 100 will be in Canterbury.

City Missioner Michael Gorman said the real problem is for those who can only just cover the cost of rent, and have nothing left afterwards.

"Then obviously they're not able to provide the other fundamental basics. What we need to do is build, build, build social housing so that the permanent needs of people can be met."

Mr Gorman said people really need permanent solutions.

"So they can establish themselves in the community. People need the stability in their lives. They need social housing that is affordable, permanent, safe and warm."

Salvation Army social policy analyst Alan Johnson agreed the real need in Canterbury is for permanent housing.

"The numbers of people who've fallen to crisis and end up living on the streets will just increase. 100 houses is better than what we've got now, but unless we do something about the lack of affordable accommodation then we're going to struggle."

Mr Johnson said it's not just Auckland that has social housing issues and Cantabrians need to have their problems looked at as well.

A Wellington City Councillor hopes the increased funding for emergency housing will shake up the way the city deals with those in need.

Paul Eagle said the current Wellington nightshelter isn't an ideal solution - it's not enough to just offer someone a bed for a night and then kick them out in the morning.

He said it doesn't resolve homelessness, it would be better if they offered a service where people could be assessed, worked through and hooked up with people that can help them.

Mr Eagle said council will still fund the nightshelter to the same level, but the funding boost creates an opportunity for a better and more solutions focused service.

"What it does do is it will allow the new board of the Wellington nightshelter to do some planning around changing the way that they currently offer their service."

Community Housing Aotearoa has praised the Government for taking steps towards helping the homeless.

But it said $40 million over four years is only the very first piece of the puzzle - and hopes there's more to come.

Director Scott Figenshow said a growing number of people are now unable to meet their housing needs without help.

"If we're actually going to grow affordability for families and grow to zero homelessness and grow to zero childhood poverty, we need to see greater substantial investment from Government."

He said they're seeing a lot more people who used to be able to make it on their own, but now can't.

"Providers tell us that for every housing unit that they can offer there are also three or four other people in just as great a need that they're not able to house."

Mr Figenshow said the announcement is merely a Band Aid - and doesn't go anywhere towards addressing the bigger issues.