This is just my opinion from political experience and knowledge. Hopefully this doesn't constitute me being banned from the site.
Sinn Fein are actively trying to make the housing crisis worse for their own benefit. They object to developments all over the country. Their leader Mary Louise objects in Dublin. Eoin objects as well. Cllrs object routinely to developments around the country. All this slows down or blocks development be it private housing, private rental, social, affordable, cost rental etc. This makes a bad problem, worse.
Now, in all speeches SF refer to what they WOULD do if in government. They would freeze rents. They'd prevent landlords taking back vacant possession if they needed their house or apartment for themselves, their family or if they needed to sell it. What does this do? It spooks current landlords and brings uncertainly into people's minds. SF are likely to be in government no later than summer of 2025. So these landlords start selling up (this is happening right now). So less properties for rent, rents go higher, and it makes a bad problem or situation worse again.
SF are actually making the rental and housing crisis worse and they are becoming more popular as a result.
Again, I'd stress, this is my reading of it. We actually need SF in power so people can see what they are like. I just hope that SF don't do any long term damage with some of their hair brain proposals.