Very few men live on the streets of Lower Hutt - most moved into Wellington long ago.

An upsurge in the number of people seeking emergency housing in Lower Hutt is worrying community workers.

The city is effectively without emergency housing for men.

Kokiri Marae's Māori Women's Refuge has a safe house for Maori women and their tamariki fleeing domestic violence.

But men are in no such luck.

At present, Lower Hutt's emergency housing problem is largely shifted to Wellington – its homelessness is outsourced.

Citizens Advice Bureau Lower Hutt co-ordinator Lynne Philp said there was a need for designated emergency housing in Lower Hutt.

"[We need] places that can accommodate families and single people who need a place to live short term," Philp said.

The bureau received about 6000 enquires each year and regularly see those needing emergency housing.

"They come to us as a last resort having already tried all other options available to them… they are upset and very worried about where they will sleep that night."

Enquiries about emergency housing were up a third on last year.

The Salvation Army's Liz Wolstenholme and Toga Tofilau also struggled to find suitable accommodation locally for those who sought help.

Single men who came to them looking for help with accommodation would likely be referred in to Wellington.

"There's no emergency housing available in the Hutt," Wolstenholme said.

"Women can turn to the refuge but there isn't enough available for men and children."

Tofilau said they would refer men to Wellington's night shelter, though not all took that up.

"Some people are a bit selective."

The Salvation Army had a small number of units in Lower Hutt, but they were for six-month family placements with wraparound support.

"To my mind it's not emergency housing," Wolstenholme said.

While there wasn't an issue with street homelessness in Lower Hutt, people couch-surfing or living in cars would often come forward for help, Wolstenholme said.

"It wouldn't be one a week but it could be a couple a month."

Rimutaka MP Chris Hipkins said people were seeking his help to find housing on a weekly basis.

"While we have people living in cars, garages, and holiday parks, the government are demolishing and selling-off houses," he said.

"There just aren't enough homes available to meet the need."