Bringing representatives of the housing industry together in one room is being put forward as the only workable solution to the housing crisis.

United Future leader Peter Dunne said there needs to be a National Housing Conference with key players including builders, bankers, and social housing providers - to get their thoughts on a fix.

Mr Dunne said the problem has become too much of a political football.

"We need to develop a national strategy for home ownership. I think we need to develop a national strategy about how we build the types of homes that young families are seeking and that they can afford."

He said the crisis has spread outside of Auckland, and is also leaving increasing numbers of people homeless.

"You've got this multi-faceted problem, and I think trying to pick up individual bits of it is not going to resolve it. We need to have a comprehensive approach."