Brent Council Approves Five-Year Plan to Combat Homelessness and Rough Sleeping

Brent Council Approves Five-Year Plan to Combat Homelessness and Rough Sleeping

Brent Council has approved a new action plan aimed at tackling homelessness and rough sleeping across the borough over the next five years. The plan, endorsed by the council's Cabinet on Monday 12 October 2026, outlines a comprehensive strategy to prevent homelessness, improve the quality of temporary accommodation, and work towards ending long-term rough sleeping.

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan 2026-2031 sets ambitious targets. It aims to prevent homelessness for 42% of households approaching the council at risk of losing their homes. For those sleeping rough, the current baseline number is 55, recorded on a single night in July 2026, with 32 identified as long-term rough sleepers. The specific target is to halve the number of people sleeping rough by December 2027, with a long-term goal of achieving functional zero for long-term rough sleeping by 2031.

Councillor Robert Johnson, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters, presented the plan, acknowledging that homelessness is a significant challenge for Brent, as it is for all authorities across the country. He highlighted that demand for housing continues to rise across London, placing significant pressure on councils and residents affected by housing insecurity. He also noted that homelessness is rarely caused by one issue alone, with factors like debt, drug or alcohol misuse, family disputes, and poor mental health all contributing.

Key actions within the plan include continuing the Find a Place You Can Afford initiative. Beyond securing accommodation, this initiative aims to improve the quality and reduce the cost of temporary accommodation for families with children. It also seeks to support families in securing affordable private rented accommodation and to build private rented sector supply through the Landlord Forum and new 10-year+1 day leased accommodation.

For families with children in temporary accommodation for extended periods, the plan prioritises faster move-ons. This includes building Private Rented Sector (PRS) supply through the Landlord Forum and new 10-year+1 day leased accommodation. Furthermore, a dedicated out-of-borough and out-of-London sourcing project will prioritise move-on for benefit-capped families who have been in temporary accommodation the longest. The council will ensure accurate reporting and targeted move-on activity through correct flagging of households with children across all temporary accommodation types.

The council will ensure the quality and safety of the 'new 10-year+1 day leased accommodation' through the Private Sector Initiatives (PSI) Team, which will inspect all new properties before use to ensure they meet required suitability and safety standards. Additionally, the Housing Resolutions Team will carry out inspections when disrepair is reported, rather than relying solely on landlord self-certification.

For those sleeping rough, the plan details a dedicated multi-agency response, including outreach teams, an assessment hub, and intensive support through the Housing First model for individuals with complex needs. The Housing First model will provide intensive support for individuals with the most complex histories of rough sleeping, addressing needs that have historically made it difficult for individuals to access standard homelessness application processes and require intensive, in-property support.

Brent is also participating in targeted 'Built for Zero' improvement sprints to identify and address gaps in the system that may lead to rough sleeping. This initiative, undertaken with Crisis and other local partners, aims to reach a functional zero position on long-term rough sleeping. One such sprint is currently reviewing evictions onto the street directly from supported accommodation to identify why some residents leave placements into rough sleeping and to improve move-on pathways and support planning.

The plan also details Brent's partnership arrangements, working with over 15 organisations including Crisis, NHS Brent Integrated Care Board, and various supported accommodation providers. These partnerships aim to provide a range of support services, from substance misuse treatment to employment assistance, to help individuals sustain their tenancies and rebuild their lives.

Further details on the council's strategy can be found in the Public reports pack for the Cabinet meeting on Monday 12 October 2026. Public reports pack Monday 12-Oct-2026 10.00 Cabinet.pdf