Those hit hardest by Auckland's housing crisis have a new ally.

A motel owner has stepped up to help the homeless, offering discounted rates for those hit hardest by Auckland's housing crisis.

John McMeeckin has been working with Te Puea Marae in Mangere Bridge to give families a roof over their head.

"We're about family, we're about community, and this is our way of sort of giving back," he said.

Chris Harrowell Manurewa Marae board member Rangi McLean was applauding John McMeeckin's actions.

Out of the Otahuhu motel's 38 units, McMeeckin originally offered five at a discount. After seeing how many families were in need, he bumped that number up to 12.

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As of Thursday, 34 people were staying in the rooms, including about 18 children.

McMeeckin said he made the decision to open the rooms after visiting the marae with blankets and food.

"We came away from Te Puea shell-shocked and scratching our head on 'how can we help them further'."

He had since made the rooms as cheap as possible for the guests, running most at break-even prices and some at his own personal cost, he said.

He did not want the name of his motel published to protect the families' privacy.

"This year it's a complete different change. It's a tsunami that's hit Auckland and why not open up your facilities if you can," he said.

"They're humans, they're people, they need homes too."

He is challenging other motel owners to open "one or two units" to families in need.

Manurewa Marae is also among the organisations responding to Te Puea's call for help.

Board member Rangi Mclean applauded McMeeckin's efforts on Thursday.

"Anyone that is in a position to offer help to those in need, should, is my opinion," he said.

The marae was securing five Portacoms to house homeless families, which would be placed on marae land until August

It was receiving "very positive feedback" from families who had come through Te Puea, he said.

"They ... appreciate all of the assistance and help that they've received, not only from Te Puea Marae but by the wider community."

Alastair Russell from Auckland Action Against Poverty said that a motel offering discounted rates was a good way to reduce some families' Work and Income emergency housing debts.

"My view is that it is a sad state of affairs when the government has to rely on the charity of motel owners to begin to adapt to the needs of homeless families and people in Auckland," he said.