People sheltering in tents has become a semi-permanent sight along the edge of the Southern Motorway, but this is the first time a structure has been built.
It has walls made from packing cases, a wooden door and a tarpaulin roof. There was a man building it when the Otago Daily Times visited yesterday, but he declined to talk to the paper.
Night Shelter Trust Dunedin manager David McKenzie said the shack was probably an example of a homeless person trying to deal with colder weather and the fact winter was coming.
"It is unsurprising that people are looking to establish more robust shelters," he said.
"We will continue to try to help people to find a better step forwards if they come here."
The shelter, which provides emergency accommodation for a few nights only, officially reopened earlier this month after an upgrade and expansion due to the city’s homeless crisis.
A year ago, sports leaders planning their winter games at the Oval approached the Dunedin City Council to seek a solution to the growing tent village.
They said they had concerns about the safety and wellbeing of both the homeless people and players, including children.
Mayor Jules Radich proposed sheltering homeless people in the abandoned Aaron Lodge holiday park, owned by Kainga Ora, but the idea did not progress to a government-backed plan and the park is for sale.
A multi-agency effort to move people from tents at the Oval and into accommodation was followed by tents reappearing.
Southern Football chief executive Dougal McGowan, who was among the sports leaders who spoke to the council last year, said a solution must now urgently be found to the ongoing tent city, for the sake of homeless people and sportspeople.
Every Saturday, the changing rooms at the Oval had to be hosed out before they could be used by players and their families.
He had also had to pick up needles, glass and rubbish from benches and in the grass.
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