Alexia O’Brien
@alexiacobrien.bsky.social
Minnesotan turned Dubliner. Geographer. Housing Policy Advocate for JCFJ
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
AITA for being too poor to leave my parents’ house? Or am I just a victim of a Government more concerned with assisting reckless profiteering from a social good?
www.jcfj.ie/2026/08/27/a...
www.jcfj.ie/2026/08/27/a...
AITA? Or just a victim of the housing crisis? - Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland
There is an Irish podcast run by three self-described middle-aged women who talk about life at their age and their current struggles. I will admit, as a 29-year-old, I have little interest in listenin...
www.jcfj.ie
August 28, 2026 at 9:23 AM
AITA for being too poor to leave my parents’ house? Or am I just a victim of a Government more concerned with assisting reckless profiteering from a social good?
www.jcfj.ie/2026/08/27/a...
www.jcfj.ie/2026/08/27/a...
Great to see RTE highlighting our concerns. I just hope the government are paying attention too
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Homeless charities raise concerns over housing bill
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has written to the Minister for Housing expressing serious concern about Government amendments to the Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscella...
www.rte.ie
July 10, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Great to see RTE highlighting our concerns. I just hope the government are paying attention too
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
Employment in Ireland has seen an increasing shift towards tech services and other knowledge intensive industries. Here i look at the implications for wage inequality and housing
theweekinhousing.substack.com/p/divided-du...
theweekinhousing.substack.com/p/divided-du...
Divided Dublin, divided Ireland
The knowledge economy, wage inequality & housing Part IV
theweekinhousing.substack.com
June 19, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Employment in Ireland has seen an increasing shift towards tech services and other knowledge intensive industries. Here i look at the implications for wage inequality and housing
theweekinhousing.substack.com/p/divided-du...
theweekinhousing.substack.com/p/divided-du...
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
www.jcfj.ie/2026/06/05/d...
'It should come as no shock to anyone living in Ireland or those who have left Ireland that a recent fact-finding mission by the European Parliament’s housing committee found Ireland’s housing crisis to be one of the “most severe” and “most complicated” in Europe.'
'It should come as no shock to anyone living in Ireland or those who have left Ireland that a recent fact-finding mission by the European Parliament’s housing committee found Ireland’s housing crisis to be one of the “most severe” and “most complicated” in Europe.'
Deflect, Defend, and Deny: the Tánaiste’s playbook to housing - Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland
It should come as no shock to anyone living in Ireland or those who have left Ireland that a recent fact-finding mission by the European Parliament’s housing committee found Ireland’s housing crisis t...
www.jcfj.ie
June 5, 2026 at 3:13 PM
www.jcfj.ie/2026/06/05/d...
'It should come as no shock to anyone living in Ireland or those who have left Ireland that a recent fact-finding mission by the European Parliament’s housing committee found Ireland’s housing crisis to be one of the “most severe” and “most complicated” in Europe.'
'It should come as no shock to anyone living in Ireland or those who have left Ireland that a recent fact-finding mission by the European Parliament’s housing committee found Ireland’s housing crisis to be one of the “most severe” and “most complicated” in Europe.'
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
The point made by @nlsj.bsky.social here is so easily overlooked: the State concentrated services in Dublin's north-east inner-city because of pre-existing class politics and now the people in wealthier neighbouring areas have a new level of judgementalism to apply www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Fifth of Dublin Central votes went to candidates who had used anti-immigration rhetoric
But opinion is divided among political parties over how significant issue of migration was in campaign
www.irishtimes.com
May 25, 2026 at 9:05 AM
The point made by @nlsj.bsky.social here is so easily overlooked: the State concentrated services in Dublin's north-east inner-city because of pre-existing class politics and now the people in wealthier neighbouring areas have a new level of judgementalism to apply www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
Launching my book on May 26th. Join me in conversation with Rory Hearne, hosted by Kitty Holland. Should be a great discussion of housing politics and the PRS @maoiliosarey.bsky.social @fingalpimpernel.bsky.social @pbresnihan.bsky.social @ciantocallaghan.bsky.social
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Beyond Generation Rent, RSVP
Beyond Generation Rent:
Author and housing researcher Michael Byrne in conversation with Rory Hearne TD. Facilitated by Irish Times journalist Kitty Holland.
docs.google.com
May 13, 2026 at 7:36 AM
Launching my book on May 26th. Join me in conversation with Rory Hearne, hosted by Kitty Holland. Should be a great discussion of housing politics and the PRS @maoiliosarey.bsky.social @fingalpimpernel.bsky.social @pbresnihan.bsky.social @ciantocallaghan.bsky.social
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
"We invite exploitation through poorly built, glorified sheds that don’t meet standards for health and safety ... at the end of the day, that is what it is—a safety issue."
New blog by @alexiacobrien.bsky.social on no planning permission for modular units in gardens.
www.jcfj.ie/2026/04/09/s...
New blog by @alexiacobrien.bsky.social on no planning permission for modular units in gardens.
www.jcfj.ie/2026/04/09/s...
Sheds, I mean beds, for rent - Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland
You may have heard talk about planning permissions being waived for homeowners to build standalone or modular units in their back gardens (often informally known as granny flats) up to 45sq.m. in order to increase the amount of available rental units in the country. These types of accommodations are not new and got its colloquial... Read more »
www.jcfj.ie
April 9, 2026 at 5:16 PM
"We invite exploitation through poorly built, glorified sheds that don’t meet standards for health and safety ... at the end of the day, that is what it is—a safety issue."
New blog by @alexiacobrien.bsky.social on no planning permission for modular units in gardens.
www.jcfj.ie/2026/04/09/s...
New blog by @alexiacobrien.bsky.social on no planning permission for modular units in gardens.
www.jcfj.ie/2026/04/09/s...
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
For an article, @lokapila.bsky.social is looking at the rise of "landlord tech" in Dublin, from apps for building access and "digital butlers" to systems for rental payments and maintenance requests. Have there been recent changes in your building? She'd love to hear from you [email protected]
March 23, 2026 at 11:15 AM
For an article, @lokapila.bsky.social is looking at the rise of "landlord tech" in Dublin, from apps for building access and "digital butlers" to systems for rental payments and maintenance requests. Have there been recent changes in your building? She'd love to hear from you [email protected]
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
The RTB still can’t compel landlords to lower rent if investigators spot illegal hikes. Changes to make it possible were to be included in a new law, when first announced. But they were dropped.
RTB still can’t compel landlords to lower rent if investigators spot illegal hikes
Changes to make it possible were to be included in a new law, when first announced. But they were dropped.
www.dublininquirer.com
March 6, 2026 at 8:20 AM
The RTB still can’t compel landlords to lower rent if investigators spot illegal hikes. Changes to make it possible were to be included in a new law, when first announced. But they were dropped.
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
Rents rising *is* the housing crisis. When will neoliberal types realize the can't get away with this shit anymore?
www.newstalk.com/news/rents-2...
www.newstalk.com/news/rents-2...
Rents must rise to fix housing crisis - international property fund
New-build apartments are also exempt from the 2% rent cap, which the Government believes will "incentivise" building.
www.newstalk.com
February 26, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Rents rising *is* the housing crisis. When will neoliberal types realize the can't get away with this shit anymore?
www.newstalk.com/news/rents-2...
www.newstalk.com/news/rents-2...
Yesterday we held an event w/ the EU Parliament-Ireland on the new Affordable Housing Plan. Grateful to have been joined by Eamon Ryan as our keynote, Paul Tierney, Marie Hyland, Daithi Downey, & for the chance to speak about the policy analysis work I’ve been doing on Ireland relating to the EUAHP
February 25, 2026 at 8:21 AM
Yesterday we held an event w/ the EU Parliament-Ireland on the new Affordable Housing Plan. Grateful to have been joined by Eamon Ryan as our keynote, Paul Tierney, Marie Hyland, Daithi Downey, & for the chance to speak about the policy analysis work I’ve been doing on Ireland relating to the EUAHP
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
"A huge problem needs a huge solution." My brilliant colleague, @alexiacobrien.bsky.social, in the Dublin Inquirer, outlining how we could use a neglected 50 year old government report to transform Irish housing www.dublininquirer.com/why-are-200-...
Why are 200 homes in Crumlin and Inchicore taking so long to build?
They’re the kinds of sites that recent government measures have been intended to accelerate.
www.dublininquirer.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:20 AM
"A huge problem needs a huge solution." My brilliant colleague, @alexiacobrien.bsky.social, in the Dublin Inquirer, outlining how we could use a neglected 50 year old government report to transform Irish housing www.dublininquirer.com/why-are-200-...
In addition to a great article by Lois on RZLT, I talked to her a bit about our recent paper on the Kenny Report which you can read below
Why are 200 homes in Crumlin and Inchicore taking so long to build? They’re the kinds of sites that recent government measures have been intended to accelerate.
Why are 200 homes in Crumlin and Inchicore taking so long to build?
They’re the kinds of sites that recent government measures have been intended to accelerate.
www.dublininquirer.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:58 AM
In addition to a great article by Lois on RZLT, I talked to her a bit about our recent paper on the Kenny Report which you can read below
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
I spoke with the Archbishop of Dublin, Peter McVerry, and @kevinmnye.bsky.social to explore how Christmas is so incredibly hard for those who are homeless
www.americamagazine.org/politics-soc...
www.americamagazine.org/politics-soc...
At Christmas, a reminder of Ireland’s persistent homelessness crisis
“I know many homeless people who tell me they would love to fall asleep on the first of December and wake up on the first of January. Christmas is the most miserable time for them.”
www.americamagazine.org
December 25, 2025 at 3:17 PM
I spoke with the Archbishop of Dublin, Peter McVerry, and @kevinmnye.bsky.social to explore how Christmas is so incredibly hard for those who are homeless
www.americamagazine.org/politics-soc...
www.americamagazine.org/politics-soc...
Before your weird uncle starts going on about how there is no housing crisis at Christmas dinner, you can read my report on how he could be right in a few years if we used our resources correctly 👇
www.jcfj.ie/research/usi...
www.jcfj.ie/research/usi...
Using the Kenny Report To End Land Hoarding - Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland
The Housing Crisis in ireland needs a radical solution that was suggested 50 years ago.
www.jcfj.ie
December 23, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Before your weird uncle starts going on about how there is no housing crisis at Christmas dinner, you can read my report on how he could be right in a few years if we used our resources correctly 👇
www.jcfj.ie/research/usi...
www.jcfj.ie/research/usi...
My first report with @jcfjustice.bsky.social came out today, entitled “Using the Kenny Report to End Land Hoarding”, and is available to read now: www.jcfj.ie/research/usi...
Using the Kenny Report To End Land Hoarding - Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland
The Housing Crisis in ireland needs a radical solution that was suggested 50 years ago.
www.jcfj.ie
December 19, 2025 at 3:34 PM
My first report with @jcfjustice.bsky.social came out today, entitled “Using the Kenny Report to End Land Hoarding”, and is available to read now: www.jcfj.ie/research/usi...
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
In late October, the Centre published 'Faith in the North-East Inner-City,' a report exploring the overlooked connection between faith-based communities and the integration of new communities to a city.
A 🧵on the local and national coverage received so far /1
www.jcfj.ie/research/fai...
A 🧵on the local and national coverage received so far /1
www.jcfj.ie/research/fai...
Faith in the North-East Inner-City - Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland
Introduction New research by the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice and ACET Ireland has identified almost fifty faith-based communities in the north-east inner-city of Dublin. A key aim of the resea...
www.jcfj.ie
November 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM
In late October, the Centre published 'Faith in the North-East Inner-City,' a report exploring the overlooked connection between faith-based communities and the integration of new communities to a city.
A 🧵on the local and national coverage received so far /1
www.jcfj.ie/research/fai...
A 🧵on the local and national coverage received so far /1
www.jcfj.ie/research/fai...
Wonderful news from back home!
St. Paul voters on Tuesday handed a historic election victory to state Rep. Kaohly Her, who will be the first woman and first Hmong person to serve as mayor.
Her upset her former boss, two-term Mayor Melvin Carter, to win the election.
Her upset her former boss, two-term Mayor Melvin Carter, to win the election.
Kaohly Her wins historic election, will be St. Paul’s first Hmong mayor
Her, who entered the race in August, defeated her former boss Mayor Melvin Carter in his bid for a third term.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Wonderful news from back home!
It’s rumored that George Salmon, former Provost of Trinity College Dublin, said “over my dead body will women graduate from Trinity”. Well, George, this one is for you! PhD done!
November 2, 2025 at 6:43 PM
It’s rumored that George Salmon, former Provost of Trinity College Dublin, said “over my dead body will women graduate from Trinity”. Well, George, this one is for you! PhD done!
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
This Tuesday, we are hosting a Webinar navigating Pope Leo XIV's first Apostolic Exhortation: DILEXI TE - I have loved You.
With Hosts @kevinhargaden.bsky.social , @nlsj.bsky.social , Fr Peter McVerry SJ and Trocaire’s Jane Mellet!
Register below!
forms.gle/4AayuXbAnU6S...
With Hosts @kevinhargaden.bsky.social , @nlsj.bsky.social , Fr Peter McVerry SJ and Trocaire’s Jane Mellet!
Register below!
forms.gle/4AayuXbAnU6S...
October 26, 2025 at 2:15 PM
This Tuesday, we are hosting a Webinar navigating Pope Leo XIV's first Apostolic Exhortation: DILEXI TE - I have loved You.
With Hosts @kevinhargaden.bsky.social , @nlsj.bsky.social , Fr Peter McVerry SJ and Trocaire’s Jane Mellet!
Register below!
forms.gle/4AayuXbAnU6S...
With Hosts @kevinhargaden.bsky.social , @nlsj.bsky.social , Fr Peter McVerry SJ and Trocaire’s Jane Mellet!
Register below!
forms.gle/4AayuXbAnU6S...
My colleagues at @jcfjustice.bsky.social have been working on this report for months & it’s incredible to see it come together. As someone without a religious background, it’s really eye opening to see the role faith based communities can play in integration & why they should be taken serious
Look to the many faith-based groups to boost integration in inner-city, a new report advises council. Almost 50 faith-based groups play a big role in helping people navigate civic life in the north inner-city, it says – and the council should tap into them, it says.
Look to the many faith-based groups to boost integration in inner-city, a new report advises council
Almost 50 faith-based groups play a big role in helping people navigate civic life in the north inner-city, it says – and the council should tap into them, it says.
www.dublininquirer.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:46 AM
My colleagues at @jcfjustice.bsky.social have been working on this report for months & it’s incredible to see it come together. As someone without a religious background, it’s really eye opening to see the role faith based communities can play in integration & why they should be taken serious
Reposted by Alexia O’Brien
"Our real issue here is that the market price has gotten to a place that even 'affordable housing' is still unaffordable." My great colleague, @alexiacobrien.bsky.social, laying out the depressing numbers www.jcfj.ie/2025/10/16/a...
Affordable or "affordable"...which is it? - Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Ireland
Clúid housing announced they are now taking applications for a new cost-rental scheme in Belmayne that includes 1-, 2-, and 3-bed apartments. This, of course, is a good thing. Affordable housing is cr...
www.jcfj.ie
October 17, 2025 at 10:27 PM
"Our real issue here is that the market price has gotten to a place that even 'affordable housing' is still unaffordable." My great colleague, @alexiacobrien.bsky.social, laying out the depressing numbers www.jcfj.ie/2025/10/16/a...
First time seeing “Dr.O’Brien” in print alongside my research stuff 🤪
October 16, 2025 at 10:10 AM
First time seeing “Dr.O’Brien” in print alongside my research stuff 🤪
Newest blog post by moi:
www.jcfj.ie/2025/09/18/d...
Students and young adults are regularly disregarded when it comes to enforcing tenant rights and are deemed 'lucky' enough to have a place to stay during the school year, even if it's only Monday-Thursday. But shouldn't they also be granted housing protections?
Students and young adults are regularly disregarded when it comes to enforcing tenant rights and are deemed 'lucky' enough to have a place to stay during the school year, even if it's only Monday-Thursday. But shouldn't they also be granted housing protections?
“Do not take advantage of the poor just because you can” …except students, that’s fine: how digs are sticking students with high prices and low rewards. - Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice in Irelan...
In August, my colleague Kevin Hargaden posted a blog on the scramble for student accommodation and dignity in housing, drawing important attention on how we see quality housing contributing to the “co...
www.jcfj.ie
September 18, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Newest blog post by moi: