Dublin City Council's in talks with developers and venture funds about getting hundreds of long term leases on apartments across the city.
The apartments would be used for social housing and to relocate families currently living in emergency accommodation.
Property prices in the capital have taken a hit since the coronavirus crisis began here three weeks ago.
The local authority says it has already taken on 200 short term lets to house homeless people over the coming months.
It says the collapse of the tourism and property markets has meant better opportunities.
