Croydon Council's new housing strategy aims to significantly reduce the number of households relying on temporary accommodation by 2030, with a projected decrease of 23%. The strategy, presented to the Housing Assurance Board on Monday, 14 September 2026, outlines a multi-pronged approach to tackle homelessness, increase housing supply, and improve financial sustainability. The council has submitted a bid to the Greater London Authority (GLA) for a 10-year program to deliver 1,000 new homes, focusing on types of development rather than specific sites at this stage.

A line graph showing a significant decrease in a metric from over 13,000 in late May to under 4,000 by late August, with data points labeled for specific dates.
A line graph showing a significant decrease in a metric from over 13,000 in late May to under 4,000 by late August, with data points labeled for specific dates.

Despite achieving the largest reduction in temporary accommodation placements of any London borough in 2025, the council faces ongoing challenges due to a shortage of affordable housing and rising private rents. The strategy aims to address this by preventing homelessness earlier, increasing housing supply, and transforming the temporary accommodation portfolio.

Key initiatives include building new council homes on council land, acquiring existing properties, and enabling development by registered providers. Specific initiatives for increasing social and affordable housing supply include building on council land at Regina Road, reviewing garage sites, estate infill, and extending existing properties. The council is also exploring options for modular homes and joint ventures. The council aims to purchase 300 homes from 2025 to 2028, utilizing Right to Buy receipts, as part of its efforts to increase supply and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation.

To maximise the use of existing stock, the council is focusing on extensions, conversions, and downsizing schemes, particularly for single occupants in larger properties. Downsizing schemes aim to free up larger properties, with a target of supporting over 323 single tenants to downsize. While incentives are mentioned as part of a tailored offer and service for residents under-occupying properties, specific details on these incentives are not provided.

A circular diagram illustrating key strategies for housing supply and management, including
A circular diagram illustrating key strategies for housing supply and management, including \"Supply/Move-on\", \"Void Turnaround\", \"PRS discharge\", \"Acquisitions\", \"Speedy Allocations/assessments\", \"80% of stock\", and \"Under-occupation campaign\", with \"Incentives for Landlord\" also noted.

Tenancy fraud investigations are also being used to recover properties. Improvements have also been made to the voids management process, with average void turnaround times decreasing significantly. The 'Temporary Accommodation Strategy 2026 to 2030' aims to increase housing supply and accelerate move-on into settled accommodation. The 'Housing Improvement Programme' highlights a 'Move On' workstream with additional Move On officers being recruited to meet with new TA placements within 4 weeks to actively support their move out. This will be monitored through a reduction in the length of stay in TA for new placements.

The council is also introducing new licensing schemes for the private rented sector to improve standards and tenant rights. New Additional and Selective Licensing schemes are set to go live on 25th September 2026. These schemes, along with a new standalone Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy, aim to improve housing conditions, increase tenant awareness of their rights, reduce anti-social behaviour, and create a sustainable regulatory framework. The council is expanding its private sector housing team to increase proactive enforcement, including against breaches of the new Renters' Rights Act, which introduces new offenses such as rental discrimination and the use of fixed-term tenancies. Consequences for landlords include civil financial penalties, cautions, criminal prosecutions, improvement notices, injunctions, works in default, court fines, and financial charges on property.

Beatrice Jinkler-Taylor, Director of Homelessness and Accommodation, highlighted the ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation, stating, The strategy aims to prevent homelessness earlier, increase housing supply, and transform the temporary accommodation portfolio.

The strategy projects a reduction in annual net temporary accommodation costs from approximately £44 million to £40 million by 2029/30. However, the council acknowledges that significant financial pressures remain, requiring a combination of national subsidy reform, reduced demand, and improved move-on rates. The strategy projects a reduction in households in temporary accommodation by 23% by 2029/30.

More information on the strategy can be found in the Public reports pack for the Housing Assurance Board meeting on 14 September 2026 Public reports pack 14th-Sep-2026 18.00 Housing Assurance Board.