Brian Robson
@brianrobson.bsky.social
I want more people to live in a decent, affordable home. Don't you?
Work: Director Housing & Homelessness, @oak-foundation.bsky.social
Dad, bookworm, sedate cyclist | Mackem in North Yorks | Views mine.
Work: Director Housing & Homelessness, @oak-foundation.bsky.social
Dad, bookworm, sedate cyclist | Mackem in North Yorks | Views mine.
Pinned
Brian Robson
@brianrobson.bsky.social
· Nov 18
👋 Hello to new followers. My feed is shaping up into a nice mix of people I knew at the other place and new friends I haven't met yet.
Expect housing, homelessness and the joys of living in Yorkshire. Also interested in politics, philanthropy, and regional development.
Expect housing, homelessness and the joys of living in Yorkshire. Also interested in politics, philanthropy, and regional development.
Last @dalesbus.bsky.social Sunday wander of 2025.
Very mild, Wensleydale looking lovely as ever. #Yorkshire
Very mild, Wensleydale looking lovely as ever. #Yorkshire
December 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Last @dalesbus.bsky.social Sunday wander of 2025.
Very mild, Wensleydale looking lovely as ever. #Yorkshire
Very mild, Wensleydale looking lovely as ever. #Yorkshire
Reposted by Brian Robson
▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░ 98.56%
December 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓░ 98.56%
Reposted by Brian Robson
I've been aware for a while of the work by faith and other community groups to support people seeking asylum. So I asked the @refugeecouncil.bsky.social where there was really vigorous community support. They said Northallerton. Here's what I found when I went there: as.ft.com/r/b3449fbd-3...
‘A place of welcome’: Yorkshire town rallies round to help asylum seekers
[FREE TO READ] Churches and community groups in Northallerton provide food, clothing and company for refugee families
as.ft.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:38 AM
I've been aware for a while of the work by faith and other community groups to support people seeking asylum. So I asked the @refugeecouncil.bsky.social where there was really vigorous community support. They said Northallerton. Here's what I found when I went there: as.ft.com/r/b3449fbd-3...
Reposted by Brian Robson
A place of welcome: how Northallerton in Yorkshire is rallying around to help asylum seekers (FT)
www.ft.com/content/1d11...
www.ft.com/content/1d11...
‘A place of welcome’: Yorkshire town rallies round to help asylum seekers
Churches and community groups in Northallerton provide food, clothing and company for refugee families
www.ft.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:52 AM
A place of welcome: how Northallerton in Yorkshire is rallying around to help asylum seekers (FT)
www.ft.com/content/1d11...
www.ft.com/content/1d11...
Northallerton isn't perfect, but I'm proud to call these people neighbours 🧡
‘A place of welcome’: Yorkshire town rallies round to help asylum seekers - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @financialtimes.com
‘A place of welcome’: Yorkshire town rallies round to help asylum seekers - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @financialtimes.com
‘A place of welcome’: Yorkshire town rallies round to help asylum seekers
Churches and community groups in Northallerton provide food, clothing and company for refugee families
giftarticle.ft.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Northallerton isn't perfect, but I'm proud to call these people neighbours 🧡
‘A place of welcome’: Yorkshire town rallies round to help asylum seekers - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @financialtimes.com
‘A place of welcome’: Yorkshire town rallies round to help asylum seekers - giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/... via @financialtimes.com
The first haircut I had as a fresher at Leeds Uni was at a barber who told me that his shop was going to be demolished to make way for the 'supertram'.
The fact I had hair shows you how long ago this was (25yrs+). Even Metro to Sunderland only took 22 years...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The fact I had hair shows you how long ago this was (25yrs+). Even Metro to Sunderland only took 22 years...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Leeds-Bradford £2.5bn tram plan delayed after government review
West Yorkshire's mayor says she is confident the trams will be running
www.bbc.co.uk
December 18, 2025 at 10:18 AM
The first haircut I had as a fresher at Leeds Uni was at a barber who told me that his shop was going to be demolished to make way for the 'supertram'.
The fact I had hair shows you how long ago this was (25yrs+). Even Metro to Sunderland only took 22 years...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The fact I had hair shows you how long ago this was (25yrs+). Even Metro to Sunderland only took 22 years...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Brian Robson
If your cost-benefit model tells you it isn't worth investing in a tram or light rail system for an urban area with a population of well over 1m, like Leeds-Bradford, your model is wrong and should be thrown in the bin.
December 18, 2025 at 9:34 AM
If your cost-benefit model tells you it isn't worth investing in a tram or light rail system for an urban area with a population of well over 1m, like Leeds-Bradford, your model is wrong and should be thrown in the bin.
Reposted by Brian Robson
Our housing and drugs research project is now entering survey and interview stage!
If you - or anyone you know or work with - has experienced drug-related barriers to getting housing and you live in Cardiff, Belfast or Tower Hamlets (London), then we'd love to hear from you.
If you - or anyone you know or work with - has experienced drug-related barriers to getting housing and you live in Cardiff, Belfast or Tower Hamlets (London), then we'd love to hear from you.
December 16, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Our housing and drugs research project is now entering survey and interview stage!
If you - or anyone you know or work with - has experienced drug-related barriers to getting housing and you live in Cardiff, Belfast or Tower Hamlets (London), then we'd love to hear from you.
If you - or anyone you know or work with - has experienced drug-related barriers to getting housing and you live in Cardiff, Belfast or Tower Hamlets (London), then we'd love to hear from you.
My 13-yo son came up to me laughing last night to tell me 'Keir Starmer's done a Saka meme on TikTok!'
Which I guess means something's happening, but I suspect 13-yos living in Rishi Sunak's seat aren't the PM's target audience. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Which I guess means something's happening, but I suspect 13-yos living in Rishi Sunak's seat aren't the PM's target audience. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Starmer’s communications chief to address cabinet on media strategy overhaul
Exclusive: David Dinsmore to advise ministers as they step up efforts to combat far-right rhetoric online
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:25 AM
My 13-yo son came up to me laughing last night to tell me 'Keir Starmer's done a Saka meme on TikTok!'
Which I guess means something's happening, but I suspect 13-yos living in Rishi Sunak's seat aren't the PM's target audience. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Which I guess means something's happening, but I suspect 13-yos living in Rishi Sunak's seat aren't the PM's target audience. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
'For too long young people have been bottom of the priority list, forced to navigate a system designed for the adult world that has failed them.'
Certainly wasn't for lack of campaigning effort from the amazing #YouthHomelessChapter coalition.
Certainly wasn't for lack of campaigning effort from the amazing #YouthHomelessChapter coalition.
Phil Kerry writes about his disappointment with the lack of young people in Labour's homelessness strategy.
Why were young people left out of Labour's homelessness strategy?
www.bigissue.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:12 AM
'For too long young people have been bottom of the priority list, forced to navigate a system designed for the adult world that has failed them.'
Certainly wasn't for lack of campaigning effort from the amazing #YouthHomelessChapter coalition.
Certainly wasn't for lack of campaigning effort from the amazing #YouthHomelessChapter coalition.
“Overtime [pay] used to be for treats,” says Millar, who works with homelessness people and advocacy group @rentersvoice.bsky.social “Now it’s normal just so I can pay the rent.”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
‘Affordability is off the scale’: Belfast’s red-hot rental market
Northern Ireland’s gentrifying capital of swagger and soul is reeling as rents rise faster than anywhere in the UK
giftarticle.ft.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“Overtime [pay] used to be for treats,” says Millar, who works with homelessness people and advocacy group @rentersvoice.bsky.social “Now it’s normal just so I can pay the rent.”
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Brian Robson
I CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU ❤️🔥
December 14, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU ❤️🔥
Reposted by Brian Robson
*NEW BLOG POST*
The Renters’ Rights Act does not apply to Northern Ireland, but in our latest Renter' Voice blog post we explore its changes & what we believe should be considered to strengthen the protection of private renters in NI.
www.housingrights.org.uk/professional...
The Renters’ Rights Act does not apply to Northern Ireland, but in our latest Renter' Voice blog post we explore its changes & what we believe should be considered to strengthen the protection of private renters in NI.
www.housingrights.org.uk/professional...
December 11, 2025 at 11:22 AM
*NEW BLOG POST*
The Renters’ Rights Act does not apply to Northern Ireland, but in our latest Renter' Voice blog post we explore its changes & what we believe should be considered to strengthen the protection of private renters in NI.
www.housingrights.org.uk/professional...
The Renters’ Rights Act does not apply to Northern Ireland, but in our latest Renter' Voice blog post we explore its changes & what we believe should be considered to strengthen the protection of private renters in NI.
www.housingrights.org.uk/professional...
Feeling hopeful after an excellent @homelessnetwork.scot webinar this morning unpacking the latest evaluation of the Fair Way Scotland partnership.
A fairer way is possible, it's happening in Scotland, but it needs scaling up.
homelessnetwork.scot/2025/12/11/e...
A fairer way is possible, it's happening in Scotland, but it needs scaling up.
homelessnetwork.scot/2025/12/11/e...
Ending destitution for excluded people is possible – if Scotland acts at scale - Homeless Network Scotland: we are all in
Scotland has made significant and internationally notable progress in reducing destitution among people who are blocked from accessing mainstream support
homelessnetwork.scot
December 11, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Feeling hopeful after an excellent @homelessnetwork.scot webinar this morning unpacking the latest evaluation of the Fair Way Scotland partnership.
A fairer way is possible, it's happening in Scotland, but it needs scaling up.
homelessnetwork.scot/2025/12/11/e...
A fairer way is possible, it's happening in Scotland, but it needs scaling up.
homelessnetwork.scot/2025/12/11/e...
Reposted by Brian Robson
Great... but even big increase in social housing funding won't be enough and in the meantime the LHA freeze will carry on as a machine for generating homelessness
December 11, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Great... but even big increase in social housing funding won't be enough and in the meantime the LHA freeze will carry on as a machine for generating homelessness
Reposted by Brian Robson
Minister's response to critics of LHA freeze is weak at best:
'The root of this problem is not housing allowance, it is the private rented sector. If we want to move forward... we have to get to the root cause, and that means building more homes and making sure people have got sustainable incomes'
'The root of this problem is not housing allowance, it is the private rented sector. If we want to move forward... we have to get to the root cause, and that means building more homes and making sure people have got sustainable incomes'
December 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Minister's response to critics of LHA freeze is weak at best:
'The root of this problem is not housing allowance, it is the private rented sector. If we want to move forward... we have to get to the root cause, and that means building more homes and making sure people have got sustainable incomes'
'The root of this problem is not housing allowance, it is the private rented sector. If we want to move forward... we have to get to the root cause, and that means building more homes and making sure people have got sustainable incomes'
Reposted by Brian Robson
The Commons Library is recruiting a housing policy researcher!
As ever: highly recommended workplace, great people, interesting work, etc etc. Apply!
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
As ever: highly recommended workplace, great people, interesting work, etc etc. Apply!
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
Housing Researcher - Houses of Parliament
Title: Housing Researcher. Employer: House of Commons. Salary: £43,614 - £50,374 per annum. Closes: 11/01/2026, 23:55
housesofparliament.tal.net
December 9, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The Commons Library is recruiting a housing policy researcher!
As ever: highly recommended workplace, great people, interesting work, etc etc. Apply!
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
As ever: highly recommended workplace, great people, interesting work, etc etc. Apply!
housesofparliament.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/...
'Imagine what [young people] can do when they have a stable base from whence to pursue their dreams.'
www.standard.co.uk/comment/help...
www.standard.co.uk/comment/help...
We must get serious about ending youth homelessness
New Horizon is one of the groups funded by our campaign. Here, their chief executive, Phil Kerry, reveals the rising scale of homelessness across the capital
www.standard.co.uk
December 9, 2025 at 12:50 PM
'Imagine what [young people] can do when they have a stable base from whence to pursue their dreams.'
www.standard.co.uk/comment/help...
www.standard.co.uk/comment/help...
City of London explores outside investment for housing projects giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
City of London explores outside investment for housing projects
Move by Square Mile’s governing body comes as it seeks to tackle funding shortfall
giftarticle.ft.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:29 PM
City of London explores outside investment for housing projects giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
Reposted by Brian Robson
Our new report out today proves what we’ve been hearing for years across England: that people can struggle to access a social home because their incomes are too low. www.theguardian.com/society/2025... 1/7 🧵
People on lowest incomes being denied access to social housing, research finds
Benefit claimants having applications denied for being deemed too risky by housing associations, says Crisis
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Our new report out today proves what we’ve been hearing for years across England: that people can struggle to access a social home because their incomes are too low. www.theguardian.com/society/2025... 1/7 🧵
Brilliant people, bitterly, brutally let down.
But what if urgency matched their reality?
Fantastic film from young people with lived experience of homelessness, working with @coramvoice.bsky.social - young people who really 'glow in the dark'.
youtu.be/kSsAQTJVvq4?...
But what if urgency matched their reality?
Fantastic film from young people with lived experience of homelessness, working with @coramvoice.bsky.social - young people who really 'glow in the dark'.
youtu.be/kSsAQTJVvq4?...
Glow in the Dark: Young Dreamers in Britain’s hidden youth homelessness crisis
YouTube video by Coram
youtu.be
December 8, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Brilliant people, bitterly, brutally let down.
But what if urgency matched their reality?
Fantastic film from young people with lived experience of homelessness, working with @coramvoice.bsky.social - young people who really 'glow in the dark'.
youtu.be/kSsAQTJVvq4?...
But what if urgency matched their reality?
Fantastic film from young people with lived experience of homelessness, working with @coramvoice.bsky.social - young people who really 'glow in the dark'.
youtu.be/kSsAQTJVvq4?...
‼️Brilliant opportunity for a 9-month research internship on an exciting new homelessness prevention programme at @i-sphere.bsky.social
Can be done remotely from anywhere in the UK, closes 12th Jan - take a look ⤵️
enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Can be done remotely from anywhere in the UK, closes 12th Jan - take a look ⤵️
enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Research Intern - Homelessness Prevention Programme
This internship offers an early-career researcher the chance to join an award-winning research institute and support an innovative project on improving homelessness prevention in the UK.
enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:50 PM
‼️Brilliant opportunity for a 9-month research internship on an exciting new homelessness prevention programme at @i-sphere.bsky.social
Can be done remotely from anywhere in the UK, closes 12th Jan - take a look ⤵️
enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Can be done remotely from anywhere in the UK, closes 12th Jan - take a look ⤵️
enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Reposted by Brian Robson
Today, we launch our new data briefing for 2024/2025.
It's never been more urgent to fight for a welcoming society, where people seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants are free from destitution and homelessness and can live with dignity as part of their community.
➡️ wp.me/p7yumi-4c9
It's never been more urgent to fight for a welcoming society, where people seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants are free from destitution and homelessness and can live with dignity as part of their community.
➡️ wp.me/p7yumi-4c9
December 4, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Today, we launch our new data briefing for 2024/2025.
It's never been more urgent to fight for a welcoming society, where people seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants are free from destitution and homelessness and can live with dignity as part of their community.
➡️ wp.me/p7yumi-4c9
It's never been more urgent to fight for a welcoming society, where people seeking asylum, refugees and other migrants are free from destitution and homelessness and can live with dignity as part of their community.
➡️ wp.me/p7yumi-4c9
Reposted by Brian Robson
Image credit: Centre for Homelessness Impact / Jeff Hubbard. Dean has been living in temporary accommodation in Swansea for five months after experience of homelessness and challenges with substance use. He’s now moving on to an abstinence housing project after working extremely hard at his recovery
December 2, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Image credit: Centre for Homelessness Impact / Jeff Hubbard. Dean has been living in temporary accommodation in Swansea for five months after experience of homelessness and challenges with substance use. He’s now moving on to an abstinence housing project after working extremely hard at his recovery
Reposted by Brian Robson
We are particularly interested in candidates with front-line experience supporting people at risk of homelessness or working in allied fields. The deadline is 12th January. Apply here and please do share/be in touch if you have any questions. enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Research Intern - Homelessness Prevention Programme
This internship offers an early-career researcher the chance to join an award-winning research institute and support an innovative project on improving homelessness prevention in the UK.
enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:35 AM
We are particularly interested in candidates with front-line experience supporting people at risk of homelessness or working in allied fields. The deadline is 12th January. Apply here and please do share/be in touch if you have any questions. enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...