''Rental prices are increasing due to high demand and affordability continues to be an issue even with Work and Income assistance.''
People were also turning to payday loans ''when they are desperate and high-interest rates are crippling.''
McCombe said more affordable houses, apartments, units and accessible homes were needed.
Educational resources, uniforms, stationery and devices were another big expense for families and could be a barrier for children attending school.
She would like to see Work and Income food cards for the supermarket, direct payment for rent and other things like power.
Merivale Community Centre manager Sophie Rapson said incomes did not match expenses for most of its families.
''The way they are making ends meet is to get food parcels or go without. We have lots of families that aren't meeting their basic food and accommodation costs.''
''If anything was to be fixed I think that would be the key area.''
Meanwhile, Tommy Wilson from Te Tuinga Whanau Social Services said he would like to see more resources put into the front line.
''I would like to see the people who are working with at-risk families and homeless families get support. By that I mean if I had a wish, it would be that there is an oasis that I can send my troops for respite.''
''When you're seeing trauma every day it wears you down and unless you have your troops healthy and happy they can't be effective.''
Tauranga Grey Power president Jennifer Custins said a lot of people aged 60 plus would benefit from elective surgery to keep them mobile and active.
More often than not it was an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff scenario.
Rest home facilities could also benefit from an increase in funding as in her view they were not receiving enough.
