The Affordable Housing Initiative Days at the International Social Housing Festival – DAY 1

The Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) Days are part of the 2025 International Social Housing Festival. Over two days, the programme brings together housing practitioners, city leaders, and innovators from across Europe. The programme will explore some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in delivering affordable, sustainable, and inclusive housing districts. Through seminars, workshops, study visits, and tailored technical advisory sessions, the AHI Days offer hands-on insights on key issues, from neighbourhood regeneration and resident engagement to the practical decision-making behind deep renovation projects.

International Social Housing Festival 2025

Venue: The Convention Centre Dublin (Liffey Hall 2 & Liffey Meeting Room 3B)
Address: Spencer Dock, N Wall Quay, North Wall, Dublin 1, D01 T1W6, Ireland
Dates: June 4–5, 2025

Full Programme

🗓️ June 4th, 2025 – Day 1

🕚11:15–11:45 | Opening Session

Host: João Gonçalves, Housing Europe

📍Location: Liffey Hall 2

Speakers:

• Bent Madsen, President, Housing Europe

• Marie Linder, President, International Union of Tenants

Keynote speech:

• Matthew Baldwin, Head of the Housing Task Force

🕚11:45–13:15 | Seminar: More than Retrofitting – Neighbourhood Regeneration

The final event of the drOp project.

In this session, you will explore how art, culture, community, and digital tools can drive inclusive urban regeneration. Drawing on examples from Matera, Elva, and Ermua, we will showcase integrated renovation approaches that combine social, environmental, and economic strategies. By the end, you will gain practical insights into how culture, engagement, and local development can deliver more inclusive and sustainable neighbourhoods.

📍Location: Liffey Hall 2

Agenda highlights:

• Integrated Renovation Methodology – Silvia Urra Uriarte, Tecnalia

• Culture & Local Economy – Rossana Zaccaria, President, Legacoop Abitanti

• Social Cohesion & Citizen Labs – Speakers from Ermua, Plane Smart City

• E-Tools for Engagement – Speakers from Elva Municipality, IES

🕚14:15–15:45 | Seminar: The Dragon’s Den – Which Technologies to Choose?

Through an innovative format, this seminar features expert pitches on energy transition technologies, contextualised by a country-level jury of “Dragons.” Gain a clear understanding of each technology, how to align choices with local conditions, and how to assess affordability through life-cycle analysis within the social housing sector

📍Location: Liffey Hall 2

Moderation by Sorcha Edwards, Housing Europe

Hosted by João Gonçalves, Housing Europe

Pitchers:

• Solar Power House – José Ospina, Chairman, Carbery Housing Association

• Heat Pumps – Philipp Stern, Partner, Institute of Building Research & Innovation in Vienna

• Passive Design – Louise Heavin, Senior Development Manager, Respond Housing

Dragons:

• Ingrid Vogler, Head of Energy and Technology, Federal Association of German Housing and Real Estate Companies

• Sofia Hansdotter, Expert Property Development, Public Housing Sweden (Sveriges Allmannytta)

• Seamus Leheny, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA)

• Robin van Leijen, Senior European Public Affairs, The Association of Housing Corporations in the Netherlands (AEDES)

🕚15:45–18:30 | Technical Advisory (1-on-1 sessions)

Book individual meetings with European experts.

📍Location: Liffey Hall 2