Issue

Homelessness

163 stories · discussed at 244 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 16

  1. Lewisham to Lease 35 Flats for Temporary Accommodation Lewisham Council is set to lease 35 flats from L&Q to provide temporary accommodation for homeless households, as decided at a Mayor and Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 22 October... Lewisham 24 October 2025
  2. Westminster Considers Loan for Temporary Accommodation Westminster City Council is considering a new impact investment opportunity that would see the Pension Fund provide a loan for the purchase of temporary accommodation properties. Westminster 20 October 2025
  3. Ealing Secures Temporary Housing in Acton Ealing Council has secured a 10-year lease for temporary accommodation at 61-63 Churchfield Road, Acton, London, W3 6AY, aimed at providing housing for homeless households. The... Ealing 19 October 2025
  4. Bexley Council Reduces Temporary Housing Costs Through Prevention and Efficient Allocation Bexley Council has seen a significant reduction in temporary housing costs, thanks to a focus on homelessness prevention and efficient allocation of social housing. The council... Bexley 8 October 2025
  5. Report Highlights Disproportionate Impact of Homelessness on Global Majority Communities in Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea Homelessness in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea disproportionately affects Global Majority communities, according to the Ambition 4 Review: We Have a Good Quality Home... Westminster 29 September 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. Richmond Faces £2.8M Overspend, Driven by Rising Homelessness Costs; Council Launches Transformation Programme and Addresses Funding Review Richmond upon Thames faces a projected £2.8 million overspend, with rising homelessness costs identified as a primary driver. The council is taking action to address the... Richmond upon Thames 29 September 2025
  8. Waltham Forest Tackles Homelessness with Housing Sustainment Team Waltham Forest Council is intensifying its efforts to combat homelessness through its Housing Sustainment Team, which supports families in the private rented sector who are at... Waltham Forest 28 September 2025