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 12

  1. Islington Council Survey: Temporary Accommodation Residents Generally Happy, Repair Delays Remain a Concern Islington Council's recent survey reveals that the majority of residents in temporary accommodation (TA) are happy with their housing, but concerns about repairs persist. The... Islington 16 November 2025
  2. Hardship Fund Created for Tower Hamlets Tenants Facing Rent Hikes Tower Hamlets Council has established a hardship fund to support tenants facing rent increases in temporary accommodation. The decision, made at the Mayor's Executive Decision... Tower Hamlets 4 November 2025
  3. Harrow Council to Bid for Homes to Tackle Housing Crisis Harrow Council is urgently bidding to acquire 140 newly built homes within the borough to address the growing housing crisis and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation. Harrow 28 October 2025
  4. Westminster Faces Soaring Homelessness, Pays Out £66k in Compensation for Unsuitable Housing Westminster City Council is grappling with a surge in homelessness applications, leading to increased compensation payouts for unsuitable temporary accommodation. Westminster 28 October 2025
  5. Kensington and Chelsea Council Considers Using Pension Fund to Acquire Temporary Housing Kensington and Chelsea Council is exploring the possibility of using its pension fund to acquire temporary housing in an effort to address the growing pressure on temporary... Kensington and Chelsea 24 October 2025
  6. Enfield Council Housing Company Saves £16.1M Through Property Purchases Enfield Council's housing company, Housing Gateway Limited (HGL), has saved the council £16.1 million in 2024/25. The savings were achieved through the purchase of 672 homes,... Enfield 19 October 2025
  7. Enfield Significantly Reduces Families Housed in B&Bs Enfield has made significant progress in its efforts to reduce the number of families placed in temporary accommodation, particularly in bed and breakfast (B&B) establishments.... Enfield 19 October 2025
  8. Bexley Council Reduces Temporary Housing Costs Through Prevention and Efficient Allocation Bexley Council has seen a significant reduction in temporary housing costs, thanks to a focus on homelessness prevention and efficient allocation of social housing. The council... Bexley 8 October 2025