Natasha Fa'aaliga and Gordon Smith lived in a shed for four months until being offered a home.

In a small tin shed in Christchurch, Natasha Fa'aaliga and Gordon Smith huddle together on a thin mattress.

They have lived in the shed for about four months, unable to find an affordable house to rent.

A polar fleece blanket offers little protection against the cold emanating from concrete floor.

John Kirk-Anderson Natasha Fa'aaliga and Gordon Smith, with dog Coruba, lived in a shed on Stanmore Rd for four months.

They are shells of who they used to be, the cold derelict tin shed slowly eating away their resilience.

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The shed, on Stanmore Rd, is at the back of an empty section. Tall, prickly grass with a beaten track leads to it.

It is about three metres long and a metre and a half wide. There is enough room for the mattress, some food and clothes.

Because of bad credit and low income, a private rental proved difficult.

Fa'aaliga is struggling with mental illness, exacerbated by being in the shed.

She has been treated at Hillmorton Hospital in the past.

"I think about suicide all the time, all the time, everyday," she said.

Smith is broken by her words, silent tears slide down his face.

Coruba the dog cuddles into Fa'aaliga and Smith, frantically licking their faces.

"I don't want to wake up sometimes," Fa'aaliga said.

She found out the day before she is pregnant – something doctors told her was impossible.

Smith has lived on and off the streets for 16 years. He has been in trouble with the law, a past he said he left behind 10 years ago.

"It was by my own choice. I had to learn from my mistakes," he said.

Some days, he wants to go back to his old criminal ways to provide for Fa'aaliga. He has a part-time labouring job.

Fa'aaliga had a one-bedroom Housing New Zealand (HNZ) flat before the earthquakes.

Another family member moved in.

"Things like exploded between me and the family so I gave up the house and put it under their name instead," Fa'aaliga said.

The couple are on state and city council housing waiting lists.

Both are embarrassed to go to charity meals or get "handouts".

"We prefer to go through the rubbish bins, just to keep some pride," Smith said.

Coruba provides peace of mind "and love".

"It gets dark and there are a lot of people out there who want to attack. She makes us feel more comfortable and brings love to the family," he said.

Fa'aaliga has not had a shower in a long time. She is too shy and anxious to go to shelters.

Smith said he had no family.

"This is my family. Everything we have is here, " he said.

* * *

It is a month later.

Fa'aaliga is calling from Hororata, in a safe, warm house.

A homeless worker volunteer was so shocked at where the couple was living and Fa'aaliga pregnancy, that he found a place for them to live with his extended family.

"I just didn't think people cared. He just came to the shed and said you aren't sleeping here anymore, no way," Fa'aaliga said.

The volunteer did not know them. Just the conditions they were living in.

That was enough.

This week, Canterbury's post-earthquake housing problems will be illustrated through a number of articles and videos showing people living in desperate circumstances. Social and health agencies say there is no bigger crisis facing the region than the security and affordability of housing. This is Home Truths.

WHERE TO GET HELP:

Lifeline: 0800 543 354 - Provides 24 hour telephone counselling

Youthline: 0800 376 633 or free text 234 - Provides 24 hour telephone and text counselling services for young people

Samaritans: 0800 726 666 - Provides 24 hour telephone counselling.

Tautoko: 0508 828 865 - provides support, information and resources to people at risk of suicide, and their family, whānau and friends.

Alcohol & Drug Helpline 0800 787 797

Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (noon to 11pm)

Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (4pm - 6pm weekdays)

Alcohol drug helpline: 0800 787 797 (10am - 10pm)

If it is an emergency or you feel you or someone you know is at risk, please call 111

For information about suicide prevention, see http://www.spinz.org.nz.

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