Issue

Temporary accommodation

119 stories · discussed at 68 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are addressing budget pressures from temporary accommodation costs, implementing new strategies, and increasing housing supply.

Ealing Council's Cabinet approved a new policy in October 2026 to standardise temporary accommodation placements, while Wandsworth Council plans to implement 10-year leases for temporary homes to cut costs. Several councils are reporting significant budget overspends, with Wandsworth projecting a £5.3 million overspend and Sutton facing a £36.5 million budget gap over three years, partly due to housing pressures.

Brent Council anticipates spending £38 million on nightly paid temporary accommodation, forecasting a £9.5 million overspend in the first quarter of 2026/27. Havering Council's new Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy aims for £11-12 million annual savings by reducing reliance on temporary accommodation. Croydon Council is planning 1,000 new homes to tackle homelessness and reduce temporary accommodation use, submitting a bid to the GLA in September 2026.

Waltham Forest Council's Planning Committee granted permission in September 2026 for a property to be converted into temporary accommodation for 14 households. Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet approved spending £135 million on temporary accommodation over the next three years in September 2026. Wandsworth Council's Cabinet will discuss this topic on October 12, 2026, and Westminster's General Purposes Committee on October 14, 2026.

Key facts

  1. Ealing Council's Cabinet approved a new policy for homeless household placements on October 7, 2026. Source
  2. Wandsworth Council is forecasting a £5.3 million overspend for the current financial year. Source
  3. Sutton Council faces a £36.5 million budget gap over the next three years. Source
  4. Wandsworth Council is set to implement 10-year leasing agreements for temporary accommodation. Source
  5. Brent Council anticipates spending £38 million on nightly paid temporary accommodation. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 9 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 11

  1. Newham Considers Selling Debden House to Balance Budget Newham Council is considering the sale of Debden House, a Grade II listed building currently used as a campsite and events venue, as part of its efforts to balance the budget... Newham 2 January 2026
  2. H&F Faces £2.16M Overspend Amid Social Care Pressures, Temporary Housing Costs, and Children's Services Hammersmith and Fulham Council is facing a projected £2.16 million overspend in its General Fund, primarily due to rising pressures in adult social care, temporary... Hammersmith and Fulham 10 December 2025
  3. Wandsworth Faces £700M Funding Gap for Temporary Housing Wandsworth Borough Council is grappling with a projected £700 million funding shortfall for temporary housing in the 2025-26 financial year, according to a report presented at... Wandsworth 1 December 2025
  4. Merton Council Faces Growing Budget Gap: £20M Shortfall by 2029 Merton Council is grappling with a significant budget shortfall, projected to reach £20 million by 2029, according to reports discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee... Merton 30 November 2025
  5. Richmond Council Notes Rise in Insider and Identity Fraud Richmond upon Thames Council is grappling with a rise in insider and identity fraud cases, alongside increasing costs in temporary accommodation, according to a recent Audit,... Richmond upon Thames 26 November 2025
  6. Enfield Council Faces £3.3 Million Overspend in Children's Services Amidst Broader Financial Challenges Enfield Council is grappling with a significant financial challenge, projecting a £3.3 million overspend in its children's services. This contributes to a larger £7.5 million... Enfield 23 November 2025
  7. Enfield Council Faces £63M Budget Gap by 2030 Amidst Rising Social Care Demands and Funding Uncertainty Enfield Council is projecting a significant budget shortfall of £63.4 million by the period spanning 2026/27 to 2029/30, according to a recent financial update presented to the... Enfield 23 November 2025
  8. Barnet Faces £31M Bill Without Action on Temporary Housing Barnet Council faces a potential £31 million budget shortfall by 2030 if action isn't taken to reduce the reliance on temporary housing. Key barriers to successfully... Barnet 20 November 2025