New Zealand has lost more than 4000 state houses in the past five years.

More than 4000 state homes have been sold or demolished in the past five years.

Statistics released under the Official Information Act show the number of Housing NZ properties, divided by region, every five years since 2001.

In 2001, the total number of state houses was 61,217, which increased to a peak of 69,742 in 2011.

Five years on, the number has dropped by 4192 to 65,550.

A Housing NZ spokeswoman said properties in low-demand areas were sold in order to build properties in growth areas.

"There is very little demand in many smaller and rural areas, and it makes sense for us to reinvest proceeds from sales of houses in low-demand areas, so we can build more in high-demand areas," she said.

"Places like Auckland are high-demand – so we're aiming to increase the number of properties we have there."

But since a peak of 31,025 homes in Auckland in 2011, the city had lost 851 homes by 2016.

Hawke's Bay was one of the areas that lost a significant number of homes, down by 377 since 2011.

One tenant lived in a Napier block of more than 100 homes in the suburb of Maraenui. A couple of years ago each resident received a letter saying the homes would be demolished.

They were offered relocation options and told new state homes would be built on the site.

Last year, just seven new homes were unveiled and the community were told no more would be built.

She said many of the evicted families were struggling to find affordable long-term housing and the demolition had broken the community.

MOST REGIONS LOSE OUT

All regions, apart from the West Coast, saw a drop in housing stock over the past five years.

Greater Wellington lost 573, Christchurch lost 349, Hamilton lost 385, New Plymouth lost 135, and Manawatu/Horowhenua lost 156.

Salvation Army researcher Alan Johnson said this decline across the board aimed to redirect resources to Auckland. "But that hasn't happened."

Overall, more houses were sold than built, while Auckland effectively remained static. "It's also short-sighted. Just because they see no demand in the regions doesn't mean it will stay that way."

The Ministry of Social Development funds other providers to deliver social housing, and through the payment of income-related rent subsidies. The number of houses sold, demolished or transferred to social providers was requested, but no response was received.

MSD also managed a register of people awaiting state housing, which showed demand decreased since 2014.

Deputy chief executive Carl Crafar said 6000 applicants were placed in social housing each year since it took over assessment.

"The eligibility criteria for accessing social housing has not changed since [MSD] took responsibility for the assessment function in April 2014.

"What has changed is that we are making sure social housing is available for those in the greatest need, for the duration of that need."

Anyone with a serious housing need, or who felt they had not been assessed correctly, should contact the ministry, he said.

"There's more assistance available now to help people to get into private rentals and stay in them."