Home Connections welcome Prime Minister Andy Burnham's commitment to boost social housing and end rough sleeping before Christmas
Home Connections welcome Prime Minister Andy Burnham's commitment to turbocharge council house building and eradicate rough sleeping.
As a leading not-for-profit organisation supporting social housing lettings across the UK, we have seen the number of council lettings decline year on year through our choice-based lettings systems. For over 25 years, Home Connections has worked with councils and housing providers to help people access social housing, giving us a unique insight into the growing gap between housing demand and supply.
Our recent white paper highlighted this challenge, including one London borough where a single one-bedroom council property received more than 200 bids. This level of demand demonstrates just how urgently more social housing is needed.
After almost 50 years of declining council housing, we hope this marks the beginning of a long-term reversal. We also believe that increasing supply should be accompanied by measures that help protect existing council housing stock, building on approaches already adopted in other parts of the UK.
Ending rough sleeping is equally important. Home Connections delivers the StreetLink service on behalf of MHCLG, helping members of the public connect people sleeping rough with local outreach teams so they can receive support quickly.
Home Connections is also continuing to develop its homelessness case management software to help local authorities better understand homelessness journeys, track outcomes and support people moving away from rough sleeping.
We have also written to the Prime Minister to offer our support through the expansion of Homefinder UK, our national housing relocation and move-on service, which has already helped almost 2,000 homeless households secure permanent accommodation across the UK.
Ninesh Muthiah, CEO of Home Connections, said:
Increasing the supply of social housing and ending rough sleeping are two of the biggest challenges facing our sector. These are issues we see every day through the work we do with councils, housing providers and government.
There isn't a single solution, but by combining investment with practical services, technology and strong partnerships, we can help more people find and sustain a safe, secure home. Home Connections stands ready to play its part.
How StreetLink uses AI to improve Rough Sleeping Alerts
An interview with John Manley, Data & Evaluation Lead at Home Connections
How can artificial intelligence make a meaningful difference to services supporting people sleeping rough?
We spoke to John Manley about the StreetLink AI pilot, what the team learned and what it could mean for the future of housing services.
Helping people provide better information
StreetLink connects people sleeping rough with local outreach services. However, the usefulness of an alert can depend on the information provided.
“People often want to help but may not know what information outreach teams need. A location might be vague or missing useful details, such as nearby landmarks or access points.
We wanted to explore whether AI could provide simple, real-time guidance to help people submit better-quality alerts without making the process more complicated.”
Supporting the reporting process
The AI provides prompts when more detail could make an alert more useful to an outreach team.
“As someone completes the form, the AI analyses the information and suggests where further detail may help. This could include nearby landmarks, entrances, clothing or other identifying information.
We also explored how AI could support alert quality assessment and prioritisation. Professional judgement, however, always remains with local authority outreach teams.
The aim isn’t to replace people or automate decisions. It’s to help people provide better information so outreach teams can work more effectively.”
Measuring the impact
The team compared pilot areas with historical performance and comparable areas where the AI features were not being tested.
39%
increase in people successfully found
Around 50%
reduction in unsuccessful outreach linked to poor-quality information
39.4%
of AI prompts shown led to improved alert quality
“The findings were encouraging. Location descriptions increased by 45% and descriptions of people by 54%. In 39.4% of cases where an AI prompt was shown, it led to an improvement in alert quality.
Most importantly, the proportion of people successfully found increased by 39%, while unsuccessful outreach linked to poor-quality information fell by around 50%.
These improvements were significantly stronger than those seen in comparable non-pilot areas, giving us confidence that the AI was making a measurable difference.”
What this means for people sleeping rough
Clearer information can help outreach workers locate someone and offer support sooner.
“Technology won’t solve rough sleeping on its own, but it can remove some of the practical barriers outreach teams face.
Better information creates better opportunities to connect people with the services they need.”
What the team learned
The response from people using the AI guidance was positive.
“There’s often an assumption that AI makes systems more complicated, but our experience was the opposite. Most people found the process easy, and many said the prompts helped them provide more useful information.
Feedback from participating local authorities also helped us understand what worked and where the solution could be improved.”
What happens next?
The evaluation recommends progressing towards a wider rollout while continuing to refine the technology.
“The next phase includes further work on AI quality scoring, safeguarding detection and prioritisation. We’ll also continue working with local authorities to ensure the technology fits within their existing processes.
This isn’t the end of the journey. It’s the beginning of the next phase.”
The potential beyond StreetLink
Similar technology could support other housing services where people complete forms, submit applications or report issues.
“AI could help people provide clearer information, reduce incomplete submissions and improve the data received by frontline teams.
This could apply to homelessness applications, housing registers, repairs, temporary accommodation services and customer enquiries.
The objective remains the same: helping people provide better information so housing professionals can make better-informed decisions. AI should support people, not replace them.”
Starting with a genuine service challenge
For John, the project’s central lesson is that AI should address a clear need rather than be introduced for its own sake.
“Successful AI projects begin with a genuine service challenge, not the technology itself.
This pilot brought together Home Connections, MHCLG, local authorities and our development team.
By combining evidence, user feedback and continuous improvement, we’ve shown how AI can be introduced responsibly to improve public services.”
Learn more about StreetLink
StreetLink enables members of the public to connect people sleeping rough with local support services.
Learning, Collaborating and Connecting at LocalGov Drupal Camp 2026
LocalGov Drupal (LGD) is an open-source content management system created by councils, for councils. Designed specifically for the public sector, it enables local authorities and public sector organisations to build accessible, user-centred and cost-effective digital services while benefiting from a collaborative community that shares knowledge, best practice and ongoing innovation.
As a not-for-profit organisation, Home Connections is proud to be an active member of the LocalGov Drupal community. We are a trusted LocalGov Drupal partner, designing, building and supporting websites and microsites for councils and public sector organisations. Today, we support more than 40 LGD websites, working closely with our customers to continually develop and improve their digital experiences. Crown Estate Scotland is one example of the websites we deliver, showcasing how LocalGov Drupal can be used to create engaging, accessible and user-focused public sector websites.
Connecting with the LocalGov Drupal community
In June, the Home Connections team attended LocalGov Drupal Camp 2026 in Sheffield. Bringing together councils, suppliers and digital professionals from across the UK, the event provided an excellent opportunity to share ideas, learn from others and explore how the LocalGov Drupal community continues to evolve.
Throughout the event, we attended a range of sessions covering content design, artificial intelligence, user experience, accessibility and product development. It was particularly valuable to hear directly from councils about the challenges they face and the innovative ways they are using LocalGov Drupal to improve digital services for residents.
One of the standout themes was the growing role of artificial intelligence in local government. Sessions explored how organisations can use large language models responsibly, govern AI-powered search effectively and balance innovation with trust, security and accessibility. We also learned how councils are using user research and content design to improve online services, alongside examples of rapid digital delivery through collaborative, open-source working.
As my first LocalGov Drupal Camp, I was struck by how welcoming and collaborative the community was. Hearing how councils are using user research, accessibility and responsible AI to improve digital services gave me plenty of practical ideas and a greater appreciation for the open-source approach to innovation.
A welcoming and collaborative atmosphere
As this was the first LocalGov Drupal Camp for some members of our team, it was a fantastic introduction to the community. We were immediately struck by the welcoming and collaborative atmosphere, with councils, suppliers and digital professionals openly sharing experiences, challenges and best practice.
The event created plenty of opportunities to network, exchange ideas and build new relationships with organisations working towards the shared goal of delivering better digital public services.
Designing better digital services
One of the sessions that particularly stood out explored building better forms in LocalGov Drupal. The Royal Borough of Greenwich shared how it has developed accessible, GDS-aligned forms while empowering content teams to manage them independently. The session reinforced the importance of designing services around user needs and collaborating across councils to develop shared solutions.
Another highlight was the session on Hackney Council's website transformation, where extensive user research and testing informed every stage of the redesign. Seeing real examples of user feedback demonstrated how evidence-based decision-making can lead to more intuitive, accessible and effective digital services.
We also attended a session on governing AI search within LocalGov Drupal, which provided practical guidance on implementing AI responsibly. The discussion highlighted the importance of governance, accountability and transparency, helping councils embrace emerging technologies while maintaining trust, accuracy and good data management.
Coming from a web development background with limited Drupal experience, the camp was an excellent introduction to the platform and the wider LocalGov community. I found it particularly valuable to see how councils are embracing AI responsibly while continuing to prioritise governance, accessibility and user trust in the digital services they deliver.
Supporting the growth of LocalGov Drupal
As a Bronze Sponsor of the event, Home Connections was proud to support the LocalGov Drupal community while also having the opportunity to meet councils, partners and fellow suppliers. We left Sheffield with fresh ideas, practical insights and valuable new connections that will help shape our future work with LocalGov Drupal and our customers.
Over the past few years, LGD has grown as a force for good in public sector website development. Councils can take control of their own destiny by carrying out the work themselves. Where in-house capacity is an issue, they can also obtain reasonably priced support from specialist suppliers such as Home Connections and others within the community. We look forward to contributing to the continued growth of the community.
A huge thank you to the LocalGov Drupal team, organisers, speakers and everyone who contributed to making the event such a success. We look forward to continuing to work with the LocalGov Drupal community and applying many of the ideas and insights we gained throughout the event.
Visit our latest website to launch, Crown Estate Scotland
Explore all of our LocalGov Drupal-powered customer websites.
Learn more about our web design and hosting services.
World Homeless Day: Building Pathways Out of Homelessness
Across the UK, the housing crisis continues to deepen. Record waiting lists, shrinking availability of affordable homes, and increasing demand for temporary accommodation are pushing more households into housing insecurity.
Amid these challenges, Homefinder UK, the national housing mobility scheme run by Home Connections, is providing a lifeline. By connecting individuals and families willing to relocate with safe, affordable, long-term housing, Homefinder UK is helping people break free from cycles of instability.
World Homeless Day and Homefinder UK’s Mission
Every year on 10th October, World Homeless Day shines a light on the realities of homelessness and the urgent need for lasting solutions. It’s a moment to recognise the scale of the challenge and the innovative approaches that are making a difference.
This day underscores Homefinder UK’s mission: helping people find the security of a home and the chance to rebuild their lives.
Whitepaper Coming Soon
Later this year, Homefinder UK will release a new whitepaper based on its most recent national survey of households supported through the scheme. The findings highlight both the scale of housing need and the transformative impact of relocation support.
Here’s a preview of what our upcoming whitepaper reveals:
- Over half (54%) of respondents faced homelessness or eviction before turning to Homefinder UK
- More than 1 in 5 had been searching for permanent housing for over 5 years
- Respondents reported significant improvements, including better mental health, lower housing costs, and living in safer neighbourhoods
- High satisfaction levels: Over 70% were ‘very satisfied’ with the support received from Homefinder UK
Fill out this short form to receive an update as soon as Homefinder UK's upcoming whitepaper is released.
Real Impact, Real Change from Housing Solutions in Action
Homefinder UK has helped more than 1,800 people and families relocate to safe, long-term housing – including over 230 survivors of domestic abuse and dozens of rough sleepers. The scheme works by helping those prepared to move to a new location by offering them to affordable and available housing in different parts of the country. For those who take up this option it can offer a route to permanent and suitable housing.
The Homefinder UK 2024/25 Impact Report reveals that the scheme provides direct relocation support and delivers substantial cost savings to local authorities. In 2024/25 alone, the scheme saved councils over £3 million in temporary accommodation costs, while maintaining a tenancy failure rate of less than 1% which is significantly lower than national averages.
Download Homefinder UK's 2024/2025 Impact Report
Sharon Roberts, Head of Lettings at Southern Housing and Chair of Homefinder UK said: “We know that a safe, secure home is the foundation for everything else – from education to employment and recovery - This impact is only possible because of our dedicated team, our local authority and housing association partners, and the individuals who trust us with their journey.”
StreetLink: Be the Link That Connects Someone to Support
Homelessness can affect anyone, and spotting the signs early can help save lives. Through StreetLink, members of the public can connect people sleeping rough to local outreach teams who can offer support, shelter, and safety.
Since its launch, the platform has enabled over 219,000 alerts across England and Wales, each one a vital step toward ending rough sleeping.
This World Homelessness Day, StreetLink is also launching its new Impact Stories Hub — a space to read real stories of people helped through alerts, and to see how collective action creates real change.
If you see someone sleeping rough, make a StreetLink alert today at thestreetlink.org.uk
Together, We Can Create Pathways Out of Homelessness
World Homeless Day is a reminder that behind every statistic is a person and someone seeking safety, stability, and the chance to rebuild. Homefinder UK remains committed to turning that hope into reality by connecting people to homes that change lives.
With the continued support of Homefinder UK’s amazing partner local authorities and housing associations, it can expand the pathways out of homelessness and housing insecurity.
Are You a Local Authority or Housing Provider? Help Homefinder UK change more lives. Contact Homefinder UK.
World Homelessness Day: Helping People Find Support Through StreetLink
Every year on 10th October, communities across the world mark World Homelessness Day – a chance to shine a spotlight on the realities of homelessness and explore how we can all make a difference.
In the UK, homelessness remains a pressing issue. It affects thousands of individuals and families, from those sleeping rough on our streets to people living in temporary accommodation or moving from sofa to sofa with no place to call home. Behind every statistic is a person – someone’s friend, parent, child – facing daily struggles that most of us can barely imagine. As the colder months draw in, it’s a timely reminder of the importance of compassion, awareness, and action.
The Reality of Homelessness
Homelessness isn’t just about the absence of a roof. It affects every part of a person’s life:
- Health: Sleeping outside in the cold and damp leads to severe health risks, from respiratory illnesses to hypothermia. Life expectancy for people experiencing rough sleeping is tragically decades lower than average.
- Safety: Many rough sleepers experience violence, theft, or abuse while on the streets. Each night is not only uncomfortable, but unsafe.
- Mental wellbeing: Living without security or stability takes a huge toll on mental health. Anxiety, depression, and isolation are common, creating a cycle that makes it even harder to recover.
Across the UK, an estimated 272,000 people are experiencing homelessness. In England alone, the government’s most recent snapshot recorded 4,667 people sleeping rough on a single night in Autumn 2024 – a 20% increase from the year before. These numbers remind us that homelessness is not just a local issue, but a national challenge.
How StreetLink Helps
It’s easy to feel powerless when you see someone sleeping rough – but you can help. StreetLink is a national service that enables the public to connect people sleeping rough with local support.
Here’s how it works:
- Spot someone in need. If you see a person bedding down outside, or if you’re concerned about someone who may be sleeping rough, you can act.
- Send an alert. Visit StreetLink.org.uk. You’ll be asked for details such as location, time seen, and a brief description.
- Outreach teams respond. Your alert is passed to local homelessness outreach teams, who go out to find the individual and offer help. This may include emergency shelter, medical care, or longer-term housing options.
StreetLink doesn’t provide housing directly, but it plays a vital role in making sure no one goes unseen. Since its relaunch in September 2023, StreetLink has received over 219,000 alerts from the public, helping outreach teams connect with people sleeping rough and offer support that could change their life.
Real Stories: Case Studies Hub
This World Homelessness Day, we’re launching a new Case Studies page on the StreetLink hub. The page shares real stories showing the difference a StreetLink alert can make, highlighting the partnerships and people behind the work.
These stories bring the statistics to life – showing how alerts translate into real-world impact.
Impact Story: Ben and Cali
StreetLink’s impact can be life-changing. One powerful example comes from our partnership with StreetVet, which supports people experiencing homelessness and their pets.
When a StreetLink alert was made for Ben and his dog Cali, StreetVet volunteers were able to step in quickly. Cali received urgent veterinary treatment for a serious health issue, while Ben was supported with supplies and guidance so the pair could remain together safely.
This case shows how a single alert can spark vital support – not just for individuals, but also for the companions who mean the world to them. Read the full story of Ben and Cali.
How You Can Support This World Homelessness Day
- Use StreetLink: If you see someone sleeping rough, don’t walk past. Take two minutes to send an alert via StreetLink.org.uk. It could change someone’s life.
- Support local services: Donate to or volunteer with local charities and shelters that provide food, warmth, and longer-term support.
- Show compassion: A kind word or small act of generosity can help someone feel seen and valued in a world where they often feel invisible.
- Spread awareness: Share information about StreetLink with friends, family, and on social media. The more people who know how to act, the more people we can connect to support.
A Collective Effort
Homelessness is a challenge that requires everyone – councils, charities, volunteers, and the public – to work together. This World Homelessness Day, let’s remember that each of us has a role to play.
By raising awareness, showing compassion, and using StreetLink to connect people to support, we can make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Because no one should have to sleep rough.
Case Study: StreetLink & StreetVet – A Partnership Supporting People Sleeping Rough and Their Pets
In February 2024, StreetLink and StreetVet launched an innovative partnership aimed at addressing the often-overlooked needs of people sleeping rough with pets. With up to one in four people experiencing homelessness in the UK accompanied by an animal, this initiative recognised the critical role pets play in their owners’ wellbeing — and the barriers they face in accessing support.
Through this new integration, members of the public and individuals self-referring can now indicate if they are accompanied by a pet when submitting a StreetLink alert. This directly triggers a notification to StreetVet, enabling a rapid response from their volunteer clinical teams to assess and support both the animal and their owner.
The impact
Since launch, over 240 referrals to StreetVet have been made via StreetLink, representing around 6–9% of StreetVet’s total monthly referrals. While only a small proportion of these lead to direct intervention, the wider impact has been significant — increasing public awareness, improving referral accuracy for outreach teams, and expanding access to care for a highly marginalised group.
As Collette Sheaff from StreetVet explains:
“Our collaboration with StreetLink has been impactful, ensuring that referrals received mentioning a pet come directly to StreetVet for investigation by our Clinical Team. This partnership has not only increased awareness of the vital support we provide for individuals experiencing homelessness with a pet but also allowed us to reach owners who may not have known how to find us before. Together, we’re making a meaningful difference.”
StreetVet’s support ranges from preventive and emergency treatment to providing food, toys, harnesses, blankets, and other essentials — helping owners maintain the companionship that is often central to their resilience and wellbeing.
Case example: Ben* and Cali
One powerful example of this partnership in action involves a referral for an individual named Ben and his dog, Cali. After a member of the public used StreetLink to highlight their situation, StreetVet volunteers conducted an outreach visit. Cali was found to be suffering from several untreated health issues, including a mammary mass requiring surgery.
Thanks to the StreetLink referral, Cali was promptly assessed, treated by a local veterinary practice, and continues to receive care. StreetVet also supports Ben with essential supplies and guidance, ensuring the pair can stay together safely and healthily. This case shows how early intervention through StreetLink can prevent worsening health conditions for both pet and owner.
Broader significance
This collaboration bridges a crucial service gap. Many vulnerable individuals are reluctant to access accommodation or healthcare if it means being separated from their animal companions. By ensuring pets are supported too, StreetLink and StreetVet lower access barriers to services and foster trust between outreach teams and those in need.
The partnership also encourages more meaningful public engagement. When people know their actions can help both a person and their animal companion, they are more likely to make a StreetLink alert and take part in community-led solutions to homelessness.
How you can help
Every action counts. You can support this initiative by:
- Raising a StreetLink alert: If you see someone sleeping rough, submit an alert and include pet details if visible.
- Sharing awareness: Tell others about StreetLink and StreetVet’s work so more people understand how to help.
- Collaborating locally: If you work in housing, outreach, or animal welfare, explore partnership opportunities with StreetLink and StreetVet.
Together, StreetLink and StreetVet are reshaping how services respond to homelessness — proving that small, thoughtful innovations can create meaningful, lasting change.
*Please note: Names have been changed.
Homefinder UK Rehouses 1,800+ Homeless and Vulnerable Households
Homefinder UK, the national housing mobility scheme run by Home Connections, has released its 2024/25 Impact Report, showcasing the scale and significance of its work to tackle the UK’s housing crisis.
Amid record-breaking waiting lists and a chronic shortage of affordable homes, Homefinder UK has helped more than 1,800 people and families relocate to safe, long-term housing – including over 230 survivors of domestic abuse and dozens of rough sleepers. The scheme works by helping those prepared to move to a new location by matching them to affordable and available housing in different parts of the country. For those who take up this option it can offer a route to permanent and suitable housing.
The report reveals that Homefinder UK not only provides direct relocation support, but also delivers substantial cost savings to local authorities. In 2024/25 alone, the scheme saved councils over £3 million in temporary accommodation costs, while maintaining a tenancy failure rate of less than 1% which is significantly lower than national averages.
“You didn’t just give me a place to live; you gave me a chance to rebuild my life,” said one applicant, who was rough sleeping in Bristol before moving to permanent social housing in Cheshire.
With 24,000+ calls handled yearly by its team and a growing network of more than 100 housing partners across the country, Homefinder UK offers wraparound case management, relocation funding, and tailored support for a diverse range of vulnerable people – including refugees, people with accessibility needs, and those fleeing unsafe living conditions.
Sharon Roberts, Head of Lettings at Southern Housing and Chair of Homefinder UK said: “We know that a safe, secure home is the foundation for everything else – from education to employment and recovery.”
“This impact is only possible because of our dedicated team, our local authority and housing association partners, and the individuals who trust us with their journey.”
As the housing crisis deepens, the report outlines Homefinder UK’s future commitments, including:
- Expanding local housing options for people wanting to stay near family or work
- Doubling relocation support funding through funding partnerships
- Strengthening accessible housing pathways for disabled applicants
- Increasing employment, training and wellbeing support for rehoused applicants
Only 2.5% of private properties are now affordable (using LHA rates as the measure of affordability) and most of these are located in lower demand areas of the country. The scheme is calling on greater urgency from the government to fulfil its promises to build social housing and to provide more financial support for relocation schemes.
To download the report visit: https://homefinderuk.org/impact-report-2024-25