Under its housing policy, there will be an early investment in 4000 public housing dwellings to meet waiting list demands and 2000 rent-to-but affordable homes for low to middle income earners.

The party will seek to establish a Public Works Department to deliver well-planned public housing with the intention of lowering the cost of increasing housing supply.

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Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said housing challenges in Tasmania had been propelled by growth in the short-stay accommodation sector.

She said the party would institute an immediate freeze on new listings of entire homes in areas where there were rental shortages.

Ms O'Connor said councils would have the power to refuse to issue or renew permits in areas of rental shortages under the plan.

She said housing should be a main priority for all parties at this election.

"While there are significant housing supply issues in the major centres ... we're seeing the consequences of the failure to invest in affordable housing right across the state," Ms O'Connor said.

"If people don't have a place to call home, it's very hard for them to access education, training and employment."

She said young people in particular were struggling with access to an affordable place to live.

"We know that young people particularly are struggling right now to find a share home they can afford and they have given up hope of ever owning their own home," Ms O'Connor said.

She said Tasmanians were being priced out of their paradise whether they wanted to rent or buy.

TasCOSS on Thursday released a list of demands for the next government, including a proposal for 1000 new affordable and social homes to be built each year for the next 10 years. The organisation said there needed to be more innovation in providing rental options.