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 18

  1. Barking & Dagenham Review Officer Powers, Delegation Scheme Barking and Dagenham Council has undertaken a comprehensive review of its constitution, including officer powers and the delegation scheme, to enhance service performance and... Barking and Dagenham 3 August 2025
  2. Harrow Faces £5.9M Housing Overspend Due to Rising Homelessness Costs Harrow Council is facing significant financial challenges as rising homelessness costs have led to a £5.9 million overspend in the Housing General Fund. The council anticipates... Harrow 31 July 2025
  3. Brent Faces £30M Budget Gap Amid Rising Homelessness Costs Brent Council is grappling with a £30 million budget shortfall over the next three years, driven in part by rising homelessness costs, according to reports presented at a recent... Brent 31 July 2025
  4. Lambeth Council Faces £60.5M Overspend Driven by Housing Costs; Future Savings of £84M Needed Lambeth Council is facing a significant financial challenge, grappling with a £60.5 million overspend, primarily driven by rising housing costs for homeless families. The dire... Lambeth 29 July 2025
  5. H&F Council Faces £6.4M Overspend on Temporary Accommodation Hammersmith and Fulham Council is grappling with a significant overspend of £6.4 million on temporary accommodation, despite efforts to mitigate the rising costs of homelessness... Hammersmith and Fulham 29 July 2025
  6. Croydon to Improve Casework Training for Homelessness Services Croydon Council is set to enhance casework training for its homelessness services, aiming to improve support for residents facing housing challenges, with a particular emphasis... Croydon 29 July 2025
  7. Harrow Council's Risk Register Flags Homelessness, Finances, and Other Key Concerns Harrow Council's financial risk register has flagged increasing homelessness and budget pressures as key concerns, alongside challenges in adult social care and health and... Harrow 25 July 2025
  8. Harrow Council Reports £1.5M Surplus Amid Audit Concerns, Property Revaluations, and Risk Register Highlights Harrow Council has reported a £1.5 million surplus for the 2024-2025 financial year, despite concerns raised during a Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee... Harrow 25 July 2025