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Tauranga homeless charity Te Tuinga Whānau Trust has expanded into the local Returned Services Association premises as it deals with an upsurge in demand through the lockdown.
Chair Tommy Kapai Wilson says the trust is operating several bubbles, including a marae which cooks meals for its various homes.
When space ran out, the RSA stepped up with an offer to use its spare accommodation capacity.
The first tenant as a woman with three tamariki who was rescued by police from a situation made more dangerous by the lockdown.
"You’re getting amplified raruraru, discontent. She was in one room with her three boys and for seven days she wouldn't leave that room because there was two other families in that one whare. She was too frightened, scared for her kids with the virus and the lack of knowledge but also what was going on with the other families was pretty scary stuff mate," Mr Wilson says.
He says some of his staff have worked 17 days straight through the lockdown.
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