People and partners 

Stories from the people we work with

Our journey has been shaped by the people and organisations we work alongside. Throughout our anniversary year, we’ll share reflections from customers, colleagues and partners about the challenges we’ve tackled together, the progress we’ve made and what they hope to see in the future.

Our community 

Reflections from our partners

Amanda Gill

Amanda Gill

Head of Accommodation and Allocations, Croydon Council

"I have worked with Home Connections since its early days as a founding member at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and continue to use the service at Croydon Council today."

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"Over the years, Home Connections has consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of the housing sector, providing a user-friendly platform that supports both residents and local authorities. Their willingness to innovate and respond to changing service demands has made them a valued partner in delivering housing services”

Laura Kennard

Housing IT Programme Manager, Redbridge Council

“Home Connections have always been really receptive to the ideas of what we're doing. We did push the boundaries quite a lot with this solution.”

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Redbridge worked with Home Connections to bring several housing processes together and improve the quality of its data. Its temporary accommodation sign-up process previously involved staff updating nine systems; it can now be completed through one integrated process. Laura says the project has changed how staff work and given teams better information to support residents.

Read the Redbridge case study

Ekpo Eyo

Ekpo Eyo

Transformation Business Analyst, Southwark Council

What stands out with Home Connections is the willingness to understand the problem, empathise with the customer and resolve issues in good time.

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Southwark introduced Home Connections’ choice-based lettings platform to give staff more control over their service. The team can now make some routine changes themselves, and the system supports local lettings arrangements that had been difficult to manage previously. Ekpo particularly values the direct communication and support from Home Connections throughout the project.

Our team

Messages from our staff

Kam Basra

Deputy Chief Executive

“We are software with a soul. I hope that in 25 years’ time, we can still say the same thing.”

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How did your journey with Home Connections begin?

I started in 2007 as a business consultant on the GLA’s Housing Employment Connections project. In 2009, I joined Home Connections permanently as Housing Solutions Manager and worked through the ranks to become Deputy Chief Executive. I have probably done every type of role apart from being a developer!

Which achievements stand out most?

Birmingham was my first and biggest project. Housing Moves was significant because it delivered something new across London, Wheatley Housing took us into a major Scottish partnership, and StreetLink was a game changer for the kind of contracts we could win.

What has stayed constant as the organisation has grown?

We have grown from a team of five or six to around 36 people and expanded from a largely London-based service across much of England and Scotland. What has stayed the same is the warm, caring environment and the support people receive to grow while balancing their work and personal commitments.

What did winning the StreetLink contract mean to you?

When Ninesh called to say we had won StreetLink, it was unbelievable. It marked a new chapter for Home Connections and opened the door to working with central government departments on a wider range of projects.

What do you hope for the next 25 years?

I hope we continue to explore new possibilities with clients we have not worked with before while protecting our core values and social purpose. We are software with a soul, and I hope that remains true in 25 years’ time.

Charly Lynn

Senior Delivery Manager

“I fell into the housing sector by accident but stayed because of the difference we can make to people’s lives.”

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How long have you been part of the Home Connections family?

I have worked for Home Connections for five years, but I have been part of the wider family for more than 12 years, beginning when I worked with Glasgow City Council on its common housing register pilot. I now manage the Wheatley Group and Home Office accounts, support new partner onboarding and lead a small delivery team.

Which projects stand out most?

The onboarding of Lowther Homes introduced our first mid-market rent service and included integration with Rightmove. I am also proud of the new website we built for Crown Estate Scotland, our only partner that is not a housing provider.

How has the way you deliver projects changed?

We have embedded agile project management, introduced the Change Advisory Board and improved how delivery teams work with developers through tools such as Jira. At the same time, the shared determination to deliver the best possible services for partners has remained constant.

What does working in housing mean to you personally?

I entered the housing sector by accident but stayed because of the difference we can make to people’s lives. Even something as simple as an accessible online form can improve someone’s experience from the first step of their housing journey through to settling into a new home.

What are you most grateful for?

The support and mentorship. Whether I needed guidance while learning to manage a team or support through personal challenges, I was given the encouragement I needed to move forward, grow and improve.

John Manley

StreetLink Relationship Manager

“A home provides much more than a roof over someone’s head; it can offer stability, security and the opportunity for a fresh start.”

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What does your role involve?

I have been part of Home Connections for roughly eight years. As StreetLink Relationship Manager, I work closely with local authorities, outreach teams and other partners to support the service and help ensure it continues to meet the needs of the people using it.

Which experiences have made the greatest impression?

Developing the MyHome app with Leicester and helping to improve StreetLink have both been particularly rewarding. A shadowing session with a homelessness outreach service in Peterborough also helped me understand the human side of the work and how our systems support frontline teams.

What does helping people find homes mean to you?

It gives the work a real sense of purpose. A home provides much more than a roof over someone’s head; it can offer stability, security and the opportunity for a fresh start. Knowing our work can contribute to that makes it worthwhile.

What is a favourite light-hearted memory?

Whenever a project is completed successfully, Kam and I celebrate by sending each other GIFs of the David Brent dance on Teams. It has become a running joke between us.

What excites you about the future?

I am excited about future improvements to StreetLink and the thoughtful use of AI across our projects, including Homefinder UK. I hope Home Connections continues to grow while staying true to its social purpose and helping more people find safe, suitable homes.

Sharon

Digital Marketing Officer

“Celebrating 25 years of Home Connections has given me the chance to hear the stories of the people who have shaped its journey. Behind every service and innovation are colleagues and partners working together, sharing their knowledge and helping more people find a place to call home.”

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What is your role at Home Connections?

I joined Home Connections a year and two months ago as Digital Marketing Officer. I work across Home Connections, Homefinder UK and StreetLink, helping to tell the stories behind our services through campaigns, website content, social media, newsletters and case studies.

What attracted you to the organisation?

I was drawn to the opportunity to use my marketing skills for work with a meaningful purpose. Home Connections brings together technology, housing expertise and a commitment to the people who need support. The more I’ve learned from colleagues and partners, the more I’ve come to appreciate the work that happens behind the scenes.

Which projects have been particular highlights?

Working on our 25th anniversary campaign has been a particular highlight. Speaking with people who have shaped the organisation and bringing their experiences together has given me a new perspective on what we’ve achieved. Supporting StreetLink communications, including its AI rollout, has also shown me how clear information can help people understand and use an important service.

What are you most grateful for?

I’m grateful for the people I’ve met and everything I’ve learned from them. Whether I’m talking to a colleague about a project, hearing a partner’s experience or looking at how people engage with our content, I enjoy finding the clearest way to share why the work matters.

What do you hope for the future?

As we celebrate 25 years, I hope we keep listening, improving our services and helping more people find safe, suitable homes. I’m excited to continue sharing the stories of the people and partnerships that make that possible.

Alice

Case Manager

“What makes Home Connections special is the way it supports both the people looking for a home and the colleagues helping them. People are treated with respect, encouraged to build on their strengths and accepted for who they are. I hope those values remain at the heart of the next 25 years.”

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What attracted you to Home Connections?

I was attracted to Home Connections because it is a not-for-profit organisation that helps vulnerable people. I wanted to work somewhere I could support those in need. As a case manager, I work with Thurrock, Broxbourne, Haringey, Ealing and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea councils.

What makes your work meaningful?

Helping people find homes is incredibly meaningful to me. Having experienced my own challenges, I understand how much support, kindness and encouragement can mean. Seeing someone move into a home and knowing they are happy gives me a real sense of pride.

How would you describe the culture?

Diversity and equality are reflected every day. People are accepted for who they are and encouraged to focus on their strengths. Colleagues treat each other with respect, fairness and understanding, creating a supportive environment where people can thrive.

What have you learned about yourself?

I have learned that, with the right support and encouragement, I am capable of achieving far more than I expected. Being guided and trained rather than criticised for mistakes has helped me grow in confidence, develop my skills and continually improve.

What do you hope for the next 25 years?

I hope Home Connections continues to change lives for the better and helps more people than ever before. I hope it keeps growing while staying true to the values that make it special: respecting people, supporting colleagues and making a real difference.

Ayanda

Property Acquisitions Officer

“Even after just three months at Home Connections, I can see how one conversation about a property could help someone find a safe place to call home. Being part of a team that cares so deeply about people gives my work a real sense of purpose.”

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What attracted you to Home Connections?

I joined Home Connections three months ago as a Property Acquisitions Officer. What first attracted me was how people-focused the team is and the empathy it shows. I would describe Home Connections in three words: friendly, kind and enthusiastic.

How would you describe the culture?

It is a kind, empathetic and understanding culture where each person is heard and genuinely valued. Colleagues are considerate of one another’s time, communicate openly and are always willing to help.

What does your work mean to you personally?

I feel that I am working towards something bigger than myself while helping others. Being part of an organisation that shares my values gives me a real sense of purpose and allows me to contribute in a practical way.

What impact can one conversation have?

My role involves finding properties and helping to bring them online. Every conversation with a housing provider could result in someone gaining somewhere safe to live and a space to start again. It has shown me how one conversation can genuinely change someone’s life.

What excites you about the future?

The team’s use of AI could help transform the housing landscape, and I am excited to see what becomes possible. I hope that over the next 25 years Home Connections can help many more people find a home.

Be part of our anniversary story

Have you worked with Home Connections during the past 25 years? We would love to hear about your experience and the difference our partnership has made.

Share your story 

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