Hackney Council has approved the acquisition of 448 homes to provide temporary accommodation for homeless households, a move expected to improve living conditions and generate significant cost savings.
The decision, made by the Hackney Council Cabinet on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, will see the council secure 319 units through a leasehold acquisition, an additional 58 units through a capital acquisition, and a further 71 units via a 10-year lease for single individuals.
This initiative aims to address the borough's housing crisis, which has led to an increased reliance on expensive nightly-paid accommodation and out-of-borough placements. The new units are intended to offer high-quality, stable, and self-contained living environments for those experiencing homelessness.
Councillor Abi Kingston, Deputy Cabinet Member for Homelessness Prevention and Temporary Accommodation, highlighted the importance of these acquisitions. These acquisitions will provide high-quality, stable, self-contained temporary accommodation offering a significantly better and safer living environment for homeless households,
the council's decision document stated.
The new accommodations are described as offering a significantly better and safer living environment
compared to expensive nightly-paid annexes and out-of-borough accommodation
which are often of lower quality.
Households with critical local requirements—such as severe medical needs, Child Protection Plans, or specialised education—will be prioritised for local accommodation.
The report presented to the Cabinet noted that the current reliance on nightly-paid annexes is costly and often of lower quality. By securing these new units, the council anticipates substantial financial savings and an improved living situation for residents.
While the total projected cost of acquiring these 448 homes is not detailed, the 319 units will be acquired from existing temporary accommodation budgets, with an additional 58 units also funded from these budgets. The acquisition of the 71 units will be through a 10-year lease.
The 58 units are due for practical completion in autumn 2026. For the 319 units, ownership will transfer to the council upon expiry of the lease term. The 71-unit portfolio is being converted from a flexible block-booking arrangement into a formal lease. The decisions are considered Key Decisions and will come into force on expiry of five clear working days from September 29, 2026, unless called in by at least five non-executive members.
The new accommodation is also set to meet sustainability standards, with new build sites expected to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of 'A', and existing properties meeting or exceeding an EPC C rating.
Operational management of the properties presents a potential risk to both residents and the Council. However, for leasehold properties, the inherent risks have been limited by the terms agreed, with future repair needs met by the landlord. For new build sites, relatively little maintenance spend or resource is anticipated over the next ten years.
The council's long-term strategy for transitioning households from this temporary accommodation into permanent housing solutions is not detailed in the provided information, which focuses on addressing immediate needs and statutory duties.
Read the full decisions document here: Decisions Tuesday 22-Sep-2026 13.00 Cabinet
