Housing Crisis
Councils are focusing on increasing housing supply, improving management, and addressing affordability to tackle the ongoing housing crisis.
Islington Council is exploring restoring housing allocation for key workers in October 2026, while Southwark Council's housing department was rated as having 'serious failings' by the Regulator of Social Housing in September 2026. Haringey Council's Cabinet approved a new contract in July 2026 to speed up repairs to council homes and return empty properties to occupation.
Lambeth Council is set to increase social rent housing and approved major projects in July and March 2026, aiming for 10,000 new homes over a decade. Enfield Council unveiled a 10-year plan for affordable homes in March 2026. Lewisham Council's Sustainable Development Committee will link sustainability to housing, including social housing decarbonisation, in July 2026. Lewisham's Mayor and Cabinet are scheduled to meet on 7 October 2026, with this topic on the agenda.
The housing crisis is a situation where the demand for housing significantly outstrips supply, leading to unaffordability and limited availability, impacting community stability and public services. Hackney Council debated a motion calling for rent controls in November 2025.
Key facts
- Islington Council is exploring restoring housing allocation for key workers in October 2026. Source
- Southwark Council's housing department was rated as having 'serious failings' by the Regulator of Social Housing in September 2026. Source
- Haringey Council's Cabinet approved a new contract in July 2026 to speed up repairs to council homes. Source
- Lambeth Council aims to deliver at least 10,000 new homes over the next decade. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
- Enfield Council unveiled a 10-year plan for affordable homes in March 2026. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. 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 3 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.