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 15

  1. Richmond Council Faces Challenges in Recycling and Affordable Housing; Temporary Housing Numbers Rise Richmond Council is facing challenges in key performance areas, particularly in recycling and affordable housing, according to a recent Policy and Performance Review Board... Richmond upon Thames 20 July 2025
  2. Wandsworth Invests £10M+ in Homes to Reduce Temp Accommodation Use Wandsworth Council is set to invest over £10 million in acquiring new homes to reduce its reliance on temporary accommodation, particularly for larger families. The decision,... Wandsworth 17 July 2025
  3. Waltham Forest Council Overspends on Social Care and Temporary Housing, Faces £24.458 Million Budget Pressure Waltham Forest Council faced significant financial challenges in the 2024/25 financial year, with substantial overspends in adult and children's social care and temporary... Waltham Forest 13 July 2025
  4. Waltham Forest Council Faces £24.5M Budget Shortfall Due to Social Care and Temporary Housing Costs Waltham Forest Council is facing a significant financial challenge, grappling with a £24.5 million budget pressure, according to a recent report presented to the Budget Scrutiny... Waltham Forest 13 July 2025
  5. Merton Council Allocates £20M for Temporary Housing; Addresses Concerns About Children in Temporary Accommodation Merton Council has allocated £20 million to purchase temporary accommodation within the borough. The council aims to purchase various types of temporary accommodation within... Merton 13 July 2025
  6. Haringey Council to Increase Temporary Accommodation Rents Haringey Council is set to increase rents for temporary accommodation, impacting residents in General Fund properties and those in accommodations leased from private landlords.... Haringey 11 July 2025
  7. Wandsworth Council Faces Housing Overspend Due to Rising Homelessness Costs and HRA Pressures Wandsworth Council is facing significant financial challenges in its housing sector, primarily due to rising homelessness costs and pressures on the Housing Revenue Account... Wandsworth 5 July 2025