Celebrating 25 years

25 Years of Innovation and Impact

For 25 years, Home Connections has worked with local authorities, housing providers and partners to connect people with homes and deliver innovative digital services. Explore the moments, people and partnerships that have shaped our journey since 2001.

2001

Home Connections Launches as a Pioneering Choice-Based Lettings Pilot

Home Connections began with £1.4 million in funding from the then Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) to create the country’s largest choice-based lettings pilot.

Who founded the original partnership?

It brought together Westminster, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Camden, Islington and Barnet, alongside Ujima and St Pancras & Humanist housing associations.

What was the partnership trying to change?

It aimed to replace a closed, often single-offer waiting-list system with a transparent model in which people could see available homes and express a choice.

Where did the idea come from?

The inspiration came from the Netherlands, which had pioneered an ‘estate agency’ approach to letting social housing, although this was largely paper-based at the time. The Home Connections project commenced in September 2001.

2002

CBL is born on July 4th and first person moved 10 days later with Camden

The pilot moved from concept to a live service in Somers Town, Camden, where the first property was successfully advertised and let through the new CBL model and the successful bid was made by an older person which helped to confirming that an IT approach could work for all.

How did the digital pilot work?

The choice-based lettings pilot was completely IT-based, with telephone bidding and public web-access support for people without their own technology or internet connection. Available homes appeared online and in printed property brochures, with information provided in several community languages.

What made the change challenging?

Applicants were accustomed to waiting for councils to make an offer, while housing officers were used to controlling the allocation process. Moving to choice-based lettings required a significant change in attitudes and behaviour.

How was the new approach introduced?

Home Connections supported housing officers with retraining and carried out public engagement to explain how homes would now be advertised, allocated and let. By 2003, all five boroughs involved in the pilot were live.

2006

Pilot scheme for the government to expand digital inclusion - text bidding, videos and multi-lingual access

To ensure the broadest possible access to the public, Home Connections continued to innovate by adding the ability to bid for properties via SMS and to view property information via TV (DigiTV at the time).

How did Home Connections widen digital access?

The service introduced SMS bidding and DigiTV property information, giving applicants additional ways to search and bid without relying solely on a computer.

Why was multilingual access important?

Providing information in multiple languages supported equality of access and helped more housing applicants understand and use the service.

2009 to 2012

The first to pioneer Smart phone apps for advertising and bidding

In a joint initiative with Haringey Council, Home Connections developed the first native smartphone App on both Android and Apple iOS platforms. By May 2012 Home Connections had the ability to integrate housing registers fully with CBL.

Why develop a smartphone app?

As smartphone use grew, Home Connections created another convenient way for applicants to search for available homes and express an interest in properties. The app was later shortlisted for an Inside Housing award.

What did Unity change?

Unity connected housing registration directly with the choice-based lettings process, creating a more seamless journey from application through to the successful letting of a home.

What was the wider impact?

The integrated approach demonstrated how technology could improve operational efficiency while also creating a clearer, more accessible experience for people seeking a home.

2013

Homefinder UK is established

Building on earlier mobility schemes, Homefinder UK was created to help people find social housing beyond their immediate area and help landlords make better use of available homes.

How was Homefinder UK established?

Sixteen local authorities and housing associations formed the initial group, contributing around £150,000 to establish the scheme. The first meeting was held at Islington Town Hall.

Where did the first move take place?

The first successful move was from Ealing to an over-55s property in Birmingham, demonstrating the potential of mobility schemes to widen housing options.

How did the service expand?

Revive was established in 2018 following a successful bid to the Scottish Government. It now supports survivors of different forms of abuse to move to a safer place and has helped rehouse more than 250 families and individuals.

2023

Home Connections Begins Delivering StreetLink for MHCLG

Home Connections began delivering StreetLink for MHCLG, a national referral service in England and Wales that connects people sleeping rough with their local authorities and outreach teams.

How does StreetLink work?

Members of the public and people sleeping rough can submit an alert with details about where someone has been seen. The information is passed to the relevant local authority or outreach team so they can locate the individual, assess their needs and offer appropriate support.

What is Home Connections’ role?

Home Connections operates and continually develops the StreetLink digital platform, working with government, local authorities and outreach services to improve referral quality and make it easier to connect someone with help.

What does the service demonstrate?

StreetLink shows how technology, data and partnership working can strengthen the national response to rough sleeping.