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.

Stories, page 2

  1. Rough Sleeper Numbers Surge in Barking and Dagenham, Council Aims for Zero by 2031 The number of rough sleepers in Barking and Dagenham has seen a marked increase, with a peak of 19 individuals recorded in January 2026. This figure represents a significant... Barking and Dagenham 13 March 2026
  2. Camden Council Unveils 2025-2030 Homelessness Strategy, Including Buy-Back of 280 Homes Camden Council is set to buy back 280 homes to provide housing for homeless families in the borough, as part of its new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2025-2030.... Camden 13 December 2025
  3. Haringey Council to Review HMO Licensing After Guardian Report Haringey Council is set to review its licensing of Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) following a report in The Guardian newspaper. The decision was made at a Full Council... Haringey 28 November 2025
  4. Haringey Council Aims to End Rough Sleeping, Sets Ambitious Targets Haringey Council is intensifying its efforts to eradicate rough sleeping in the borough, building on a 33% reduction achieved since 2022. At a Full Council meeting on Monday,... Haringey 28 November 2025
  5. Ealing Extends Rough Sleeping Services with St Mungo's Ealing Council is extending its rough sleeping services through an interim contract with St Mungo's, ensuring continuity of support for vulnerable individuals in the borough.... Ealing 19 October 2025
  6. Homelessness Surges 35% in Kensington and Chelsea The number of households in temporary accommodation in Kensington and Chelsea has risen sharply, mirroring a national trend, according to a report discussed at the Joint Health... Kensington and Chelsea 29 September 2025
  7. Westminster Reviews Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Westminster City Council has reviewed its strategy for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, a key priority for the council. The Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny... Westminster 14 September 2025
  8. Lambeth's Homelessness Strategy Focuses on Prevention, Accommodation Lambeth Council is intensifying its efforts to prevent homelessness and provide appropriate accommodation, according to an update presented at the Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee... Lambeth 22 July 2025