Temporary accommodation
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
- Ealing Council's Cabinet approved a new policy for homeless household placements on October 7, 2026. Source
- Wandsworth Council is forecasting a £5.3 million overspend for the current financial year. Source
- Sutton Council faces a £36.5 million budget gap over the next three years. Source
- Wandsworth Council is set to implement 10-year leasing agreements for temporary accommodation. Source
- 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.