Kim Van Sparrentak, Bent Madsen, Barbara Steenbergen, Adrianne Todman, Leilani Farha, and Tatiana Rojas head the list of speakers at the International Social Housing Festival (ISHF)
Registration is open until May 29, 2023
Brussels & Barcelona, 9 May 2023 | Published in Future of the EU & HousingThe International Social Housing Festival (ISHF), the most important international celebration (and protest) about decent, social and affordable housing in Europe, which this year celebrates its 4th edition on June 7-9 at the Palau de Congressos de Barcelona, has released the programme, including about 50 prestigious speakers, 9 venues and 150 involved organisations.
Among others, the Member of the European Parliament and defender of affordable housing in Brussels Kim Van Sparrentak stands out; Barbara Steenbergen, head of the EU affairs office of the International Union of Tenants (IUT); Shane Phillips, Housing Initiative Project Manager at the UCLA Lewis Center, Adrianne Todman, Undersecretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, or Tatiana Rojas, Undersecretary of Housing and Urban Planning of Chile, as well as Bent Madsen and Sorcha Edwards, President and Secretary General of Housing Europe, the European Federation of Public, Cooperative, and Social Housing are part of the programme.
Other internationally recognised speakers, such as the economist Mariana Mazzucato (joining us online); Gervasio Muñoz, president of the National Federation of Tenants of Argentina; Leilani Farha, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing and Global Director of the Shift movement, or Ramon Marrades, Director of Placemarking Europe, also participate in the Festival, to talk about public housing policies, access to housing and regulation.
The ISHF 2023 programme, which has been made public this week, has three plenary sessions – to be held in the Palau de Congressos auditorium – on “New housing challenges and solutions in Catalonia and Spain” (7th of June, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.); "Emerging housing systems in Southern Europe" (8th of June, from 09:00 to 10:30), and "Emerging housing initiatives in the Americas" (9th of June, from 12:30 to 13:30).
Registration for the ISHF 2023 is now open – registration is free – and can be done through the form on the website until May 29.
The ISHF celebrates its 4th edition
The International Social Housing Festival is the opportunity to trigger a real debate around public housing policies and address the multiple challenges that the public, social, and cooperative housing sector must face to guarantee the right to housing for everyone. It is also a chance to get a reality check and visit real homes that have struck a balance between affordability, accessibility, and sustainability.
This year's edition, the 4th, is promoted by the Barcelona City Council through the Municipal Institute for Housing and Rehabilitation (IMHAB) and Housing Europe which traditionally ensures the international dimension of the events. Other involved organisations are the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Generalitat Valenciana, the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, and more.
The ISHF attracts promoters and managers of social and affordable housing, research centers, professionals, local authorities, residents, and activists, and expects between 1,500 and 2,000 participants.
In its last edition, held last June in Helsinki, the ISHF brought together more than 1,000 attendees and 80 activities in 3 days. The ISHF is an initiative of Housing Europe, present in 25 countries and covering 25 million homes, 11% of the total housing of the European Union. and its members and allies. Our Spanish member AVS, Asociación de Gestores Públicos de Vivienda y Suelo will have a strong presence.
Media Inquiries
Housing Europe I diana.yordanova@housingeurope.eu I +32 2 541 05 61
Local team | a.alonso@totorocomunicacio.com & a.cabanillas@totorocomunicacio.com
Contact details for media inquiries IMHAB - Ajuntament de Barcelona
Eduard Gras | egrasv@bcn.cat | +34 662 685 801