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 8

  1. Lambeth Council Approves 2024-25 Accounts Amidst Financial Recovery and Government Funding Lambeth Council has approved its final statement of accounts for the 2024-25 financial year, a significant step in its ongoing financial recovery. The Corporate Committee met on... Lambeth 27 March 2026
  2. Build to Rent: Council Faces Questions on Developer's Track Record Havering Council's Overview and Scrutiny Board has decided not to uphold a call-in regarding a Build to Rent scheme with Inspired Solutions, allowing the council to proceed with... Havering 26 March 2026
  3. Havering Council Defends 'Build to Rent' Deal Amidst Scrutiny Over Lack of Formal Tender Havering Council has defended its decision to enter into a 40-year build to rent deal with Inspired Solutions, despite scrutiny over the lack of a formal tender process. The... Havering 26 March 2026
  4. Build to Rent Scheme: £579m Savings or Long-Term Risk? Havering Council's Overview and Scrutiny Board has voted not to uphold a call-in regarding a Build to Rent scheme, allowing a 40-year nomination agreement with Inspired... Havering 26 March 2026
  5. Tower Hamlets Council Faces £18.6m Budget Overspend Driven by Social Care Demand Tower Hamlets Council is facing a projected budget overspend of £18.6 million for the financial year 2025-26, according to a report presented to the Overview & Scrutiny... Tower Hamlets 25 March 2026
  6. Lambeth Aims for 10,000 New Homes, Focus on Social Rent Lambeth Council has set an ambitious target to deliver at least 10,000 new homes over the next decade, with a significant focus on increasing the supply of social rent... Lambeth 25 March 2026
  7. Lambeth Council Reaffirms 10,000 New Homes Target with 40% Affordable Homes Goal Lambeth Council has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering at least 10,000 new homes over the next decade, with a significant focus on ensuring 40% of these are genuinely... Lambeth 25 March 2026
  8. Lambeth Council Approves Ambitious New Homes Programme Lambeth Council has approved an ambitious New Homes Programme, aiming to deliver at least 10,000 new homes over the next decade, with a target of 40% being genuinely affordable.... Lambeth 25 March 2026