Matt Downie
@mattdownie.bsky.social
Trying this out…desperately seeking sanity.
CEO of Crisis. Chair of London Youth Theatre.
CEO of Crisis. Chair of London Youth Theatre.
Gutted. Angela Rayner was the best and most consequential Housing Secretary in a generation.
September 5, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Gutted. Angela Rayner was the best and most consequential Housing Secretary in a generation.
Welcome to the world of the absurd. Housing Benefit is frozen, leaving less than 3% of the rental market accessible to those in need. Homelessness skyrockets. Local government foots the bill, spending £2.3bn keeping people homeless in temporary accommodation
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/a...
Only 2.5% of private rentals in England affordable on housing benefit, study finds
Exclusive: Charities say freeze to housing benefit will push more people into rent arrears and homelessness
www.theguardian.com
April 1, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Welcome to the world of the absurd. Housing Benefit is frozen, leaving less than 3% of the rental market accessible to those in need. Homelessness skyrockets. Local government foots the bill, spending £2.3bn keeping people homeless in temporary accommodation
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/money/2025/a...
It has been five years since the Everyone In scheme. It was an extraordinary and unique moment, but we mustn’t over-claim what it achieved…
Thanks @lgeraghty23.bsky.social for speaking to me about it.
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
Thanks @lgeraghty23.bsky.social for speaking to me about it.
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
Covid effectively ended rough sleeping. So where did it all go wrong?
The Everyone In scheme virtually ended rough sleeping during the Covid pandemic but five years on homelessness has surged to new heights.
www.bigissue.com
March 25, 2025 at 5:54 PM
It has been five years since the Everyone In scheme. It was an extraordinary and unique moment, but we mustn’t over-claim what it achieved…
Thanks @lgeraghty23.bsky.social for speaking to me about it.
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
Thanks @lgeraghty23.bsky.social for speaking to me about it.
www.bigissue.com/news/housing...
This is essential reading. Rest in peace, Joe.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025... @shattenstone.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025... @shattenstone.bsky.social
‘It’s hell on earth for me’: how did Joe Black overdose in a homeless hostel with zero tolerance for drugs?
Joe was a gifted musician who struggled with addiction and poor mental health. When he got a place at an award-winning ‘sanctuary’ in London, it sounded perfect. The reality was shockingly different
www.theguardian.com
March 17, 2025 at 9:26 PM
This is essential reading. Rest in peace, Joe.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025... @shattenstone.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025... @shattenstone.bsky.social
This brilliant piece from @tom-clark.bsky.social nails the current homelessness dilemma for the Government.
'We must choose between the flimsy plaster of nightly-paid lets and the sturdy bandage that a higher Local Housing Allowance would provide.'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/lab...
'We must choose between the flimsy plaster of nightly-paid lets and the sturdy bandage that a higher Local Housing Allowance would provide.'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/lab...
Sticking plaster politics and the sticky realities of the housing crisis
The prime minister has vowed to move beyond Elastoplast solutions. But with homelessness, he has a long way to go
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
March 17, 2025 at 1:54 PM
This brilliant piece from @tom-clark.bsky.social nails the current homelessness dilemma for the Government.
'We must choose between the flimsy plaster of nightly-paid lets and the sturdy bandage that a higher Local Housing Allowance would provide.'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/lab...
'We must choose between the flimsy plaster of nightly-paid lets and the sturdy bandage that a higher Local Housing Allowance would provide.'
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/lab...
Big day for @crisis-uk.bsky.social today, with a landmark conference to get bold ideas into the coming Westminster strategy on homelessness. Nice to kick off the day with a big welcome from Deputy PM and keynote speech from Minister, Rushanara Ali.
February 25, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Big day for @crisis-uk.bsky.social today, with a landmark conference to get bold ideas into the coming Westminster strategy on homelessness. Nice to kick off the day with a big welcome from Deputy PM and keynote speech from Minister, Rushanara Ali.
Great to be at No.10 today, talking about solutions to homelessness. Larry was in attendance.
January 13, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Great to be at No.10 today, talking about solutions to homelessness. Larry was in attendance.
BBC and All Souls looking resplendent tonight. Thanks Gaby Roslin for having me on the show to talk about @crisis-uk.bsky.social services this Christmas
December 22, 2024 at 4:49 PM
BBC and All Souls looking resplendent tonight. Thanks Gaby Roslin for having me on the show to talk about @crisis-uk.bsky.social services this Christmas
Great to be on the Beeb this morning, talking about the money announced for tackling homelessness today.
Money for councils v welcome. Also need a massive scale up of social housing, and to start preventing homelessness.
Money for councils v welcome. Also need a massive scale up of social housing, and to start preventing homelessness.
December 18, 2024 at 7:45 AM
Great to be on the Beeb this morning, talking about the money announced for tackling homelessness today.
Money for councils v welcome. Also need a massive scale up of social housing, and to start preventing homelessness.
Money for councils v welcome. Also need a massive scale up of social housing, and to start preventing homelessness.
In Westminster today to speak to MPs about the forthcoming homelessness strategy. It’s time to think big!
Huge thanks to @paulabarkermp.bsky.social for having me.
Huge thanks to @paulabarkermp.bsky.social for having me.
December 10, 2024 at 5:45 PM
In Westminster today to speak to MPs about the forthcoming homelessness strategy. It’s time to think big!
Huge thanks to @paulabarkermp.bsky.social for having me.
Huge thanks to @paulabarkermp.bsky.social for having me.
Very good to speak to @shelaghfogarty.bsky.social at @lbc.co.uk today. I’m a real fan. She hears stories of homelessness all the time. A lot to talk about.
December 9, 2024 at 10:42 PM
Very good to speak to @shelaghfogarty.bsky.social at @lbc.co.uk today. I’m a real fan. She hears stories of homelessness all the time. A lot to talk about.
Attention Bluesky friends!
Chris and Jonny from Coldplay are playing a one-off and very special gig at Hackney Church, on Tuesday! All proceeds to @crisis-uk.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/evening-wi...
Chris and Jonny from Coldplay are playing a one-off and very special gig at Hackney Church, on Tuesday! All proceeds to @crisis-uk.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/evening-wi...
A Special Evening with Chris & Jonny
Win one of 150 pairs of tickets to a special evening with Chris Martin and Jonny Buckland at Hackney Church, London, in aid of Crisis.
www.crowdfunder.co.uk
December 7, 2024 at 9:32 PM
Attention Bluesky friends!
Chris and Jonny from Coldplay are playing a one-off and very special gig at Hackney Church, on Tuesday! All proceeds to @crisis-uk.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/evening-wi...
Chris and Jonny from Coldplay are playing a one-off and very special gig at Hackney Church, on Tuesday! All proceeds to @crisis-uk.bsky.social
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/evening-wi...
Amazing to speak at the first Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health National Student Conference in Sheffield today. An inspirational day! #homelesshealth #inclusionhealth #homelessness
December 7, 2024 at 7:13 PM
Amazing to speak at the first Faculty for Homeless and Inclusion Health National Student Conference in Sheffield today. An inspirational day! #homelesshealth #inclusionhealth #homelessness
Reposted by Matt Downie
Home Office doubles time given to refugees to find accommodation
Home Office doubles time given to refugees to find accommodation
The period for refugees to move out of supported housing will increase from 28 to 56 days.
www.bbc.com
December 5, 2024 at 10:38 PM
Home Office doubles time given to refugees to find accommodation
Good news - the Government have extended the move on period for newly granted refugees from 28 to 56 days. In our world, this is fantastic news, giving a fighting chance that people can avoid homelessness. Hooray!
December 5, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Good news - the Government have extended the move on period for newly granted refugees from 28 to 56 days. In our world, this is fantastic news, giving a fighting chance that people can avoid homelessness. Hooray!
Thanks again to @liamthorp.bsky.social for such a searing report. Our services in Liverpool are facing unprecedented demand.
We need system change.
We need system change.
You can read my full special report here:
‘I slept in a bin last night’ - Liverpool’s homelessness crisis
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
‘I slept in a bin last night’ - Liverpool’s homelessness crisis
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...
'I slept in a bin last night': Liverpool's homelessness crisis
Special report: The numbers of rough sleepers and those living in temporary accommodation in the city is soaring, with charities and services at breaking point
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk
November 23, 2024 at 3:08 PM
Thanks again to @liamthorp.bsky.social for such a searing report. Our services in Liverpool are facing unprecedented demand.
We need system change.
We need system change.
I’m sick of the speculation about Ange’s future. We are fully behind him as a club, and confident we will beat City tomorrow, once again.
(Also, great to speak to the club foundation about homelessness today).
(Also, great to speak to the club foundation about homelessness today).
November 22, 2024 at 12:13 PM
I’m sick of the speculation about Ange’s future. We are fully behind him as a club, and confident we will beat City tomorrow, once again.
(Also, great to speak to the club foundation about homelessness today).
(Also, great to speak to the club foundation about homelessness today).
New podcast documentary from the exceptional @danielhewittitv.bsky.social on the shameful state of housing that people endure in 21st century Britain.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
The Trapped
Documentary Podcast · 9 Episodes
podcasts.apple.com
November 18, 2024 at 9:10 AM
New podcast documentary from the exceptional @danielhewittitv.bsky.social on the shameful state of housing that people endure in 21st century Britain.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by Matt Downie
No problem! Here's my starter pack of UK charities too.
November 17, 2024 at 11:29 AM
No problem! Here's my starter pack of UK charities too.
Column, on how I've unexpectedly found I now feel happy not so much in "nature", but in places where new houses are being built: www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
November 16, 2024 at 5:32 PM