Chronic homeless will be targeted in the latest council-backed scheme.
The Housing First Scheme aims to put 100 homeless in permanent housing in the first two years - ending chronic homelessness.
The programme is based on a model developed overseas and recently launched in Auckland. The Christchurch programme will be run by Christchurch Methodist Mission, Emerge Aotearoa, Comcare and the Otautahi Community Housing Trust - as well as backing from the council.
Labour originally pledged $60 million dollars to the scheme last year.
Methodist Mission Executive Director Jill Hawkey said we can't afford to wait for new houses to be built.
"Housing First is about taking people who have been long term, living on the street and providing houses for them. That will often be leasing houses from private landlords and then providing support."
She said supporting homeless by putting them into private sector housing is the fastest way to help.
