He was speaking at the opening of a centre for homeless young adults in County Kildare.
Latest Government figures show there are more than 10,000 people in homeless accommodation nationally, which doesn't include refugees or asylum seekers.
Michael D Higgins says there needs to be a change of priorities when it comes to housing:
"We have to really think about meeting the basic needs of people in a Republic - food and shelter and education. And building home is what is important. It is not to be a star performer for the speculative sector internationally or anything else."
