The Social Democrats have pledged to maximise the use of public lands to build 100,000 homes over the next five years.
At the launch of its housing manifesto, the party said it will introduce a nationwide rent freeze until an increase in housing supply drives down the cost of housing substantially.
The party said another priority is to legislate to stop land hoarding by introducing an effective specific tax and by closing all loopholes, and eliminate all tax breaks for REITS and 'cuckoo' funds.
The party said its aim is to eradicate homelessness in the lifetime of the next Dáil through a Housing First strategy.
It also wants to introduce legislation to reserve 20% of housing in private developments for affordable housing to buy or rent, in addition to the current 10% of social housing.
Read More:
LIVE: Campaign Daily
More Election 2020 stories
Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy said the Land Development Agency in its current guise is too weak and needs to be re-established as a housing delivery agency.
"We need to radically shift the balance back to the State as a key provider of housing that is affordable to buy and rent and also available as social housing,' she said.
Regarding a constitutional referendum on the right to housing, Ms Murphy said she believed there was a public appetite for such constitutional change among the electorate.
'It's gone through the Citizens Assembly. I'm very comfortable with that being put to a referendum. It's been well-tested,' she said.
Additional Reporting Brian Finn
