Issue

temporary accommodation

115 stories · discussed at 64 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are grappling with significant financial pressures from temporary accommodation while developing strategies to increase supply and reduce reliance.

Several councils are reporting significant financial pressures from temporary accommodation. Brent Council anticipates £38 million expenditure on nightly paid accommodation, forecasting a £9.5 million overspend in the first quarter of 2026-27. Hammersmith and Fulham Council faces a projected £14.3 million overspend for 2026/27, partly due to temporary accommodation, while Redbridge Council forecasts an £8.485 million overspend with pressures in this area. Lewisham Council plans to spend £135 million over three years.

In response, councils are developing strategies to reduce reliance and increase supply. Havering Council's 2026-2029 strategy aims for £11-12 million annual savings by reducing expensive temporary accommodation. Croydon Council plans 1,000 new homes to tackle homelessness and reduce temporary accommodation reliance, submitting a bid to the GLA in September 2026. Waltham Forest Council granted permission in September 2026 for 14 new temporary accommodation units.

Hackney Council's Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Supply Transformation Programme, with £145 million allocated for 2026/27, faces challenges, including a 29% decrease in homelessness prevention outcomes since 2025/26. Temporary accommodation is housing provided for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, typically on a short-term basis. Waltham Forest Council's Shareholder Committee is scheduled to discuss the topic on 6 October 2026.

Key facts

  1. Brent Council anticipates £38 million expenditure on nightly paid temporary accommodation, forecasting a £9.5 million overspend in Q1 2026-27. Source
  2. Hammersmith and Fulham Council faces a projected £14.3 million overspend for 2026/27, attributed partly to temporary accommodation. Source
  3. Lewisham Council is set to spend £135 million on temporary accommodation over the next three years. Source
  4. Havering Council's new strategy aims for £11-12 million annual savings by reducing reliance on temporary accommodation. Source
  5. Croydon Council plans to build 1,000 new homes to reduce reliance on 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 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 7

  1. New Homes Scrutiny Committee to oversee housing in Brent Brent Council has established a new Homes Scrutiny Committee to provide dedicated oversight of the borough's housing functions, a move prompted by serious failings identified by... Brent 7 July 2026
  2. Council abandons SPV plan for temporary homes Kingston Council has abandoned plans to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for temporary accommodation, opting instead to hold 150 properties within the General Fund.... Kingston upon Thames 27 June 2026
  3. Brent Council to Explore New Housing Scrutiny Committee Brent Council is set to explore the establishment of a new scrutiny committee dedicated to housing, following a unanimous decision at the Annual Council Meeting on Wednesday,... Brent 22 May 2026
  4. Brent Council Approves Long-Term Property Leases to Increase Homeless Accommodation Brent Council has approved a new strategy to increase the supply of temporary accommodation for homeless households by entering into long-term leasing agreements with private... Brent 9 April 2026
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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