Homefinder UK publishes new research into the benefits of voluntary, out-of-area moves 

Homefinder UK, the national housing mobility scheme run by Home Connections, has released its latest Moving forward: 2025 whitepaper. The whitepaper showcases proprietary research into the health, financial, and security outcomes Homefinder UK has delivered for individuals, families, and local authority housing departments from 2022-2025. This new research evaluates how the scheme, which helps those at risk of homelessness move to secure, permanent out-of-area housing, continues to improve safety, stability, and quality of life for vulnerable applicants across the UK.

The whitepaper includes insight based on feedback from 115 households that had benefited from the scheme between 2022 and 2025. It includes both qualitative and quantitative research to provide an evidence-based view of trends in housing access, satisfaction, wellbeing, and relocation outcomes when people voluntarily move out-of-area to secure better housing. The paper also includes a comparison with the outcomes identified in a similar study, which took place in 2020, to see whether these have been sustained or evolved. The data covers the housing challenges applicants faced, such as homelessness, temporary accommodation, and domestic abuse, and how voluntary relocation has contributed to long-term settlement and wellbeing improvements.

Research key findings across 115 households included:

• 67% agreed that moving out-of-borough had improved their lives
• 79% felt settled and happy in their new home and area
• 62% were rehoused within weeks or months
• 50% recorded improved mental health and emotional wellbeing
• 55% were homeless or at risk of homelessness before they moved
• 17% had experienced domestic abuse before moving
• 31% has been living in temporary accommodation before moving
• Local authority temporary housing savings of £14,000 per family or £8,000 per individual per year
• Total UK local authority savings of £3million per year in temporary accommodation costs 

The findings reaffirm the scale of the housing pressures facing low-income and vulnerable households across the UK with social housing waiting lists continuing to grow, and an estimated 3.8 million people in need of genuinely affordable homes. For many, years had been spent in temporary accommodation, overcrowded homes, or unstable private rentals, which remained their only available housing options. Among those who contributed to this research, over 50% who responded were homeless or at immediate risk of eviction prior to their move, while nearly one in five had experienced domestic abuse. 

At a time when 1.34 million households are currently on local authority housing registers (Gov.UK, June 2025) and 382,618 people in England are homeless (Shelter 2025), the research concludes that Homefinder UK, a non-profit social housing technology and rehousing provider, continues to play a vital role in reducing and preventing homelessness across the United Kingdom.

CEO of Homefinder UK, Ninesh Muthiah, comments, “With 79% of our movers now feeling settled and happy in their new homes, it’s fantastic to reflect on those who found safety and stability through relocation. But for every household we’ve helped, many more remain in unsuitable or unsafe housing. The improvements in mental health, independence, and neighbourhood safety are significant, yet they represent only a fraction of what’s needed to address a crisis of this scale.

“While we cannot solve the crisis alone, we remain committed to doing everything we can to help vulnerable households access the dignity, stability, and security that everyone deserves from a place to call home.”

Homefinder UK is a niche service, designed to help those willing and able to move out-of-area. While it is not suitable for everyone, the recent data reflects the critical role it can play within any housing department’s suite of options, a stackable solution that complements local housing options.

Karen Lucas, Head of Housing Operations at Barnet Group, comments: “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.”

For more information about the Homefinder UK service, and to download the report visit: homefinderuk.org