Issue

Rough Sleeping

18 stories · discussed at 16 council meetings · 17 councils

Brent and Havering councils are currently approving and scrutinising new strategies to prevent homelessness and reduce rough sleeping, while Newham plans a new assessment centre.

Brent Council's Cabinet approved a five-year Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan 2026-2031 on 12 October 2026, aiming to prevent homelessness for 42% of households and end long-term rough sleeping. In September 2026, Havering Council's People Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee scrutinised a new strategy targeting £11-12 million annual savings by reducing temporary accommodation and ending nightly paid/hotel use by 2030. Hillingdon Council also adopted its 2026-2030 strategy in March 2026.

Newham Council was scheduled to consider a contract award in September 2026 to transform Lady Helen Seymour House into a 42-bed rough sleeping assessment centre. Hackney Council was also scheduled to discuss procuring a new Street Outreach Response Team service for rough sleepers in September 2026. Haringey Council accepted a £2.1 million grant in March 2026 for prevention initiatives, while Havering Council was questioned in September 2026 on securing government funding for temporary accommodation.

The number of rough sleepers in Barking and Dagenham surged to 19 in January 2026, with the council aiming for zero by 2031. Ealing Council extended its rough sleeping services contract with St Mungo's until September 2027, noting it has the highest number of rough sleepers in West London. Kensington and Chelsea's Housing & Communities Select Committee is scheduled to discuss rough sleeping on 19 October 2026.

Key facts

  1. Brent Council's Cabinet approved a five-year Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan 2026-2031 on 12 October 2026. Source
  2. Havering Council's new strategy aims for £11-12 million annual savings by reducing temporary accommodation. Source
  3. The number of rough sleepers in Barking and Dagenham peaked at 19 in January 2026. Source
  4. Haringey Council accepted a £2.1 million grant for rough sleeping prevention in March 2026. 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 14 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Brent Council Approves Five-Year Plan to Combat Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Brent Council Approves Five-Year Plan to Combat Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Brent 14 October 2026
  2. Havering Council's Homelessness Strategy Aims for £11m Annual Savings by Reducing Temporary Accommodation Havering Council is set to implement a new Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2026-2029, aiming to achieve significant annual savings of £11-12 million by... Havering 15 September 2026
  3. Havering Council questioned on government funding for rough sleeping accommodation Havering Council has been questioned on its strategy for securing adequate government funding to provide temporary accommodation and end rough sleeping. Havering 8 September 2026
  4. Islington Council Invests £236m in Housing Amidst Supply Shortages Islington Council has invested £236 million in improving its housing stock, focusing on decent homes, fire safety, and damp and mould remediation. Despite this significant... Islington 16 July 2026
  5. Warwick Avenue scheme: Yorkstone paving cost questioned Westminster City Council's Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee has approved the Warwick Avenue Public Realm Scheme, a £3 million project that faced scrutiny... Westminster 24 April 2026
  6. Hillingdon Council Approves New Strategy to Combat Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Hillingdon Council has approved a new strategy aimed at tackling homelessness and rough sleeping across the borough, with a significant focus on prevention and increasing... Hillingdon 23 March 2026
  7. Haringey Council Accepts £2.1m Grant for Rough Sleeping Prevention Haringey Council has accepted a significant grant of £2,137,751 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to bolster its efforts in preventing and... Haringey 14 March 2026
  8. Haringey Council Approves Homelessness Strategy 2026-2027 Haringey Council's Cabinet has approved the Haringey Homelessness Strategy 2026-2027, a comprehensive plan developed over more than a year following a homelessness review and... Haringey 14 March 2026