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Source: ONE News -
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The housing crisis in south Auckland is deepening, with social service workers saying potentially thousands of people are living in garages.
Many of the families have no other choice but to bunk down in the garages, as many have been evicted because they can't afford to pay sky high rents and mortgages.
A new Pacific Island lobby group is now demanding a declaration of action from the government.
Takerepo Marurai is one of the thousands, but says she is grateful her family has a roof over their heads.
However, she says she dreams of moving them out of the garage and into a proper home.
The Marurai's are not alone, community workers say the numbers of people living in garages in south Auckland is dramatically increasing.
"More and more of our clients are living in situations like this, they are moving in together because the affordability is not there," says Pikura Purotu, Cook Islands Housing Liaison.
Most of the people concerned are on low incomes, the rising cost of living means they can't afford mortgage repayments, and rental properties cost more than what some families earn .
"The rents are climbing to $330 to $380 a week for a small three bedroom home," says Elaine Lolosio, of Monte Cecillia Emergency Housing.
For many, living in a garage is the only option. It is so common in south Auckland, the garages in many new homes are being built with a phone jack and TV aerial plug.
"I think it's atrocious that some of the developers are telling us they are making the garages more liveable," says Darryl Evans, of Mangere Budgeting Services.
With hundreds still on state housing waiting lists, and emergency housing full, desperate Pacific Island community leaders have taken action to demand more from the government.
They say they are concerned for what the future holds for their children, so have started a lobby group to get action.
