Issue

Homelessness

163 stories · discussed at 243 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are approving new strategies to combat homelessness and manage temporary accommodation costs.

Brent Council approved a five-year action plan to combat homelessness and rough sleeping on Monday 12 October 2026, aiming to prevent homelessness for 42% of households. In September 2026, Croydon Council approved a new strategy to tackle homelessness and boost housing supply, projecting £10 million in savings by 2030. Hammersmith and Fulham Council also unveiled its new Housing Strategy for 2026-2031 in September 2026, with preventing homelessness as a key priority.

Ealing Council's Cabinet approved a new policy on Wednesday 7 October 2026 to standardise the placement of homeless households in temporary accommodation. Brent Council is facing escalating costs for temporary accommodation, with an anticipated expenditure of £38 million on nightly paid accommodation, as highlighted by a councillor in September 2026. Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet approved an £18 million investment in September 2026 to convert four buildings into 60 temporary homes for homeless families.

Croydon Council plans to build 1,000 new homes to address homelessness and increase housing supply, as discussed in September 2026. Enfield Council's Cabinet approved a £7.3 million budget realignment in September 2026, partly due to pressures in homelessness services. Upcoming discussions on homelessness are scheduled for the Merton Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Lambeth Council on 14 October 2026, and the Kensington and Chelsea Housing & Communities Select Committee on 19 October 2026.

Key facts

  1. Brent Council approved a five-year action plan to combat homelessness and rough sleeping on Monday 12 October 2026. Source
  2. Ealing Council's Cabinet approved a new policy for placing homeless households in temporary accommodation on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Source
  3. Croydon Council approved a new strategy to tackle homelessness and boost housing supply on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. Source
  4. Brent Council is facing an anticipated expenditure of £38 million on nightly paid temporary accommodation. Source
  5. Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet approved an £18 million investment to convert four buildings into 60 temporary homes on Tuesday, 8 September 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 14 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 13

  1. Enfield Council Considers £15.4M in Savings Amid Funding Uncertainty Enfield Council is considering £15.4 million in savings amid uncertainty over future funding, as revealed in a recent Cabinet meeting. The proposed savings are part of the... Enfield 14 December 2025
  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. Wandsworth Faces £700M Funding Gap for Temporary Housing Wandsworth Borough Council is grappling with a projected £700 million funding shortfall for temporary housing in the 2025-26 financial year, according to a report presented at... Wandsworth 1 December 2025
  4. Newham Council to Provide Supported Housing for Young Adults Newham Council is set to provide supported housing for young adults, as decided at the Local Development Committee meeting on Monday, 24 November 2025. The committee approved a... Newham 28 November 2025
  5. Merton Council Faces £4.1M Budget Shortfall Despite Financial Improvement; Housing Crisis, Planning, Adult Learning, and Sustainable Communities Also Addressed Merton Council is grappling with a £4.1 million budget shortfall, despite showing signs of financial improvement, according to a recent cabinet meeting. Merton 28 November 2025
  6. 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
  7. Hillingdon Council Faces £30M Overspend Due to Social Care Demand and Savings Shortfalls Hillingdon Council is facing a significant £30.2 million overspend, primarily driven by increasing demand for social care services. Adult Social Care demand is contributing... Hillingdon 23 November 2025
  8. Richmond Council Faces £3.885 Million Overspend Due to Homelessness and Children's Social Care Costs Richmond Council is facing a projected overspend of £3.885 million, primarily due to rising costs in homelessness and children's social care, according to the Corporate Q2... Richmond upon Thames 22 November 2025