The International Social Housing Festival 2027 (ISHF 2027) is a major European event dedicated to social, public and cooperative housing, to be hosted in Lisbon, Portugal in 2027.234 It will be organized by Gebalis – Gestão do Arrendamento da Habitação Municipal de Lisboa and the Lisbon City Council, in cooperation with Housing Europe, the European Federation of Public, Cooperative and Social Housing.2345
Recognized as a leading European gathering in this field, the festival’s stated purpose is to highlight the role of social, public and cooperative housing in achieving socially and environmentally sustainable living in cities.25 It aims to showcase how housing policy, design, and management can contribute to more inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban environments. Lisbon’s selection as host city is explicitly linked to the municipality’s commitment to accessible and inclusive housing and to its positioning of social housing as a driver of urban and social development.245
The target audience is international and multidisciplinary. The festival is designed to bring together policymakers, researchers, urban planners, architects and housing activists to discuss and share European and global best practices in social and affordable housing.235 Previous editions have served as a platform for case studies, policy debates and project presentations; Lisbon’s 2027 edition is expected to follow this model, with a focus on Europe-wide collaboration.
Key topics will likely include: the social and environmental sustainability of housing systems, public and cooperative housing models, inclusive urban development, and innovative approaches to managing and financing social housing.245 By hosting ISHF 2027, Lisbon positions itself as a European reference point for the future of social housing.