The "hidden homeless" are believed to be behind an astronomical rise in the number of people on the state house waiting list.

The number of people in the urgent queue for social housing has passed 10,000 - a 70 per cent increase in the last year.

Monte Cecelia Housing Trust spokesperson Bernie Smith told Mike Hosking the increase could be down to the previous government's offer to put more people up in temporary motel accommodation.

"A lot of people came out of those circumstances, that would have never come out of them before, in the hope that they could find long term, secure housing options."

"We've had hidden homeless for decades and successive governments have brought us to this point today."

Smith said rent increases in big cities is stretching the "working poor".

"Both mum and dad are working, kids are in school, the rent goes up $10 and that just tips them over and to find another rental in this market is just impossible."

He said one way to tackle it, is to help the people who are falling below the KiwiBuild income threshold.

Smith said the number of people on the urgent housing wait list has been rising for years.

"It's continuing to do it faster than we can build or cope with."

He said the government pausing the 10 year review policy is making the situation worse.

"This is only creating further homelessness in my opinion."