New research aimed at gaining insights into the lives of rough sleepers has been carried out in response to a jump in the number of people sleeping rough in Auckland.

Auckland City Mission figures from October last year found 147 people sleeping rough within a 3 kilometre radius of the Sky Tower, up 116 per cent from a count of 68 in 2013.

The new research by Auckland Council, Auckland City Mission and Lifewise was aimed at providing "fresh insight" into the challenges, choices and impacts of homelessness while also helping drive meaningful change, council said.

The study, An insight into the experience of rough sleeping in central Auckland, was launched at the Auckland Council's Community Development and Safety Committee today.

The research provided information collected from rough sleepers past and present, their families and the general public.

Community Development and Safety Committee chair councillor Cathy Casey said the findings were a huge step forward in understanding why people slept rough, what they did to cope and the challenges they faced getting off the street.

"Perhaps the most powerful insight for me is that the notion of 'choice' is so complex for those who sleep rough – that while there are many many triggers, the 'choice' to do so is more often than not a result of having no other options."

Casey said she believed the research would help with policy development and programme delivery in the homelessness sector.

The study found there was often a cyclical experience for people who slept rough.

Those who had a history of physical violence, emotional abuse and neglect at a young age often lead to a life on the streets.

Lifewise general manager Moira Lawler said every Aucklander should read the report.

"It highlights the myriad of issues that drive people on to the streets and the significant challenges they face to get off the streets."

Researchers also interviewed members of the public at locations where there was a high presence of people sleeping rough.

Council said the findings revealed varying degrees of empathy towards rough sleepers though many acknowledged that central government, local government and non-government agencies had a role to play.

Auckland City Mission chief executive Diane Robertson said there were a lot of misconceptions and assumptions made about why people slept rough.

"Giving rough sleepers the opportunity to have their voice heard is invaluable because it dispels these misconceptions."

The research would help ensure Auckland City Mission's services were relevant.