Real homes, real results: How Barnet Homes and Homefinder UK partner in order to enhance housing options
Across the UK, local authorities are under increasing pressure to find sustainable solutions to the housing crisis. In Barnet, Homefinder UK has become a vital part of the authority’s toolkit, offering households the opportunity to move to a fresh location, while helping the housing team meet their unprecedented demand for housing.
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Karen Lucas, Head of Housing Options at The Barnet Group (TBG), has worked with Homefinder UK across three different London boroughs: Islington, Enfield and now Barnet. With experience spanning a range of housing challenges, she’s seen first-hand how the platform delivers a long-term solution for people in need of safe, secure accommodation.
A trusted service with a proven track record
Karen first worked with Homefinder UK during her time at Islington Council, where she helped drive some of the scheme’s earliest success stories. Islington was one of the first boroughs to reach 150 moves for the number of people successfully rehoused via the service, thanks to a proactive approach from the team and a healthy dose of friendly competition with other local authorities.
When Karen moved to Barnet, where she noticed the scheme wasn’t yet in place. That changed quickly. Recognising its value from past experience, she made it a priority to bring Homefinder UK on board. Within months of subscribing, Barnet had already achieved successful moves for local residents.
Meeting complex needs with flexibility
Barnet, like many boroughs, is facing intense pressure on housing. Rising numbers of people are presenting as homeless, often because they’ve been served eviction notices or can no longer stay with friends or family. The Barnet Homes has responded by developing a multi-stranded approach, offering support through private sector housing, mediation services, and also Homefinder UK.
The scheme provides an essential alternative for people willing or able to move outside their own borough. For some, this means relocating to be closer to extended family. For others, it’s simply the most realistic route to finding long-term housing stability.
In one recent example, Homefinder UK was able to secure double the usual rental deposit for a Barnet applicant, thanks to contributions from its funding partners. This additional financial support, unavailable through local authority budgets alone, was instrumental in helping that household access a secure tenancy. It's a clear demonstration of the platform’s ability to deliver beyond housing listings, by unlocking critical support at key moments in the rehousing journey.
Who the scheme helps
Over the years, Homefinder UK has supported a broad spectrum of households, from families to older individuals. In Barnet today, Karen sees smaller households and single people taking advantage of the scheme most, particularly as the housing options available align well with their needs.
Older people, in particular, are an emerging group being supported through Homefinder UK. As more people in later life face housing insecurity, the availability of age-appropriate accommodation on the platform has become increasingly valuable.
A simple, effective tool for housing teams
From an employer’s perspective, Homefinder UK is intuitive and easy to use. Karen describes the platform as straightforward, with a clear search function that allows teams to explore options and share listings with colleagues. While she doesn’t use the system regularly herself, she’s confident in its effectiveness and accessibility for frontline staff.
What sets it apart, she says, is its track record. While there may be other mobility schemes on the market, Homefinder UK is the one she knows and trusts because she’s seen it work in practice across multiple boroughs.
One of the most impressive aspects of Homefinder UK is its exceptionally low tenancy failure rate of just 1%. Karen credits this to the scheme's focus on suitability and resettlement. Rather than simply placing people in homes, the platform prioritises finding the right match, ensuring moves are sustainable and successful in the long term.
A message to other local authorities
For councils considering whether to join Homefinder UK, Karen’s message is clear: it’s a worthwhile investment.
She acknowledges that no single solution can solve the housing crisis, but believes Homefinder UK adds meaningful value as part of a broader strategy:
Our Chief Exec talks about ‘stackable solutions’. There’s no one thing that will solve this crisis, but if we layer services together, we can make a real difference. Homefinder UK is one of our stackable solutions.
Homefinder UK continues to work in partnership with organisations like Barnet Homes to expand housing opportunities for residents across the country. If your council is looking for a new approach to housing mobility, get in touch with us today to learn more.
Homefinder UK continues to work in partnership with organisations like Barnet Homes to expand housing opportunities for residents across the country.
Proven success in rehousing those most in need
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