Community housing providers are pleased with a more definitive picture of where social housing is needed the most.

LISTEN ABOVE: Minister of Social Development Deputy Scott Gallacher speaks to Mike Hosking

The Ministry of Social Development has released its 2016 Social Housing Purchasing Strategy.

Data was collected from the national social housing register, the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, and Housing New Zealand.

It has found the demand for social housing remains strongest in Auckland, and there's a high demand for one to two bedroom units across the country.

Housing Foundation General Manager Paul Gilbert said they agree there's a mismatch between demand and where the properties actually are.

But he said it ignores those who're about to fall into the social housing category:

"The focus at the bottom end, in terms of emergency and social housing, is an easier part to address because it's more visible."