Habitat for Humanity says the Government isn't paying enough attention to the housing crisis in Northland.

More than seven and half thousand homes in the region are reckoned to be substandard but official figures are seven years old.

Habitat for Humanity's Tim Howard says everyone is aware Northland has a major housing issue.

But he says the magnitude of the problem isn't clear, because there's no research.

Mr Howard feels the problem is so great, a lot of government agencies won't want to find out as there'll be an outcry.