At the 2025 International Social Housing Festival, more than 2,400 people from 35 countries covering six continents joined 350 events in Dublin, Ireland. But the festival is more than the sum of these numbers; in bringing together social and affordable housing providers, policymakers, researchers, city authorities, urbanists, architects and activists, it creates the momentum to make things better.
Our hosts in Ireland infused the festival with an important part of their culture: the art of storytelling. While participants learned about new (and were reminded of old) ideas, research, and practices, we also learnt about each other – our individual and community stories, and how they shape our present and future. In this edition of the festival, the voices of social housing residents were clear and resounding. This is an important element that will remain with the festival as it continues on to Lisbon in 2027.
The Housing Europe network made an important contribution to the festival, with members and partners organising nearly 40 events. We also held our annual conference and general assembly during the festival. Many of these events are covered in these pages.
We hosted a record number of sessions at this edition of the festival because we were determined to present the widest possible variety of viewpoints on a hugely complex and detailed issue. At the Irish Council for Social Housing – like our members, approved housing bodies – we are well aware of the realities facing the social housing sector and we wanted everyone to hear all of these voices from Ireland and abroad so we can understand how the social housing experience can be made better for everyone involved.
This report gives a brief overview of the festival and some of the Housing Europe network events.
Enjoy!