As we bring you the 80th edition of the CT Brief, we turn our focus to Ireland at a moment of significant transition and opportunity. Across the island, pressing social issues, from housing shortages to rising poverty and homelessness, demand urgent attention, while at the same time, new strategies, partnerships, and innovations are beginning to reshape the landscape of social provision.

This special edition offers a deep dive into the challenges and transformations shaping the housing, care, and community sectors in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Against a backdrop of political uncertainty and economic pressure, we explore how leadership is evolving, how finance is being leveraged to support critical delivery, and how systems are adapting to better serve communities.

While we put a spotlight on Ireland, this issue’s content is not confined by borders. The challenges explored, whether leadership under pressure, financial resilience, or system reform, are relevant across contexts. Whether you're working in housing, care, or community development, many of the insights here will resonate regardless of jurisdiction, offering ideas and inspiration for tackling shared challenges in diverse settings.

We begin with a personal perspective in Reflections of a New CEO, and continue with features on Leadership Under Pressure and Financial Leadership, which set the tone for an edition that is as much about resilience as it is about reform. We examine the shifting dynamics of Approved Housing Body (AHB) finance, look closely at the realities of homelessness north and south of the border, and consider the barriers and opportunities facing housing delivery in Northern Ireland.

This issue also highlights key local developments, from the Clonburris Strategic Development Zone to the PEACEPLUS programme, and takes a closer look at the private rented sector, sustainability, and the evolving needs of housing for older people in Ireland. We also reflect on wider European perspectives through the International Social Housing Festival 2025 and the work of the European Federation for Living, situating Ireland’s challenges within a broader global conversation.

Throughout, you’ll find examples of leadership in action. From grassroots initiatives to cross-border policy, the articles gathered here show how people and organisations are working creatively to meet rising need and deliver better outcomes for all.

We hope this edition sparks new thinking, fosters dialogue, and offers practical insights for those working across Ireland’s housing and social sectors and beyond.