Issue

Homelessness

156 stories · discussed at 242 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are grappling with rising homelessness costs and implementing new strategies to increase housing supply and improve prevention.

Croydon Council approved a new strategy in September 2026 to tackle homelessness, aiming for £10 million in savings by 2030 by prioritising prevention and increasing housing supply. The council also plans to build 1,000 new homes and has reduced void turnaround times by 55% since March 2023. Meanwhile, Brent Council is facing escalating costs for temporary accommodation, with an anticipated £38 million expenditure.

Hackney Council is investing £145 million in its Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Supply Transformation Programme for 2026/27, but saw a 29% decrease in prevention success in the first four months of 2026/27, attributed to private rented sector evictions. Waltham Forest Council approved an £18 million investment in September 2026 to convert four buildings into 60 temporary homes for homeless families.

Lewisham Council is set to spend £135 million on temporary accommodation over the next three years, with Mayor and Cabinet approving procurement in September 2026. Hammersmith and Fulham Council's new Housing Strategy for 2026-2031 includes preventing homelessness through early intervention. Councils will continue to address homelessness in upcoming meetings, including Ealing Cabinet on 07 October 2026 and Brent Cabinet on 12 October 2026.

Key facts

  1. Croydon Council approved a new strategy in September 2026 to tackle homelessness, projecting £10 million in savings by 2030. Source
  2. Brent Council anticipates spending £38 million on nightly paid temporary accommodation, forecasting a £9.5 million overspend in Q1 2026/27. Source
  3. Hackney Council allocated £145 million for its Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Supply Transformation Programme for 2026/27. Source 1 Source 2
  4. Hackney Council reported a 29% decrease in successful homelessness prevention and relief outcomes in the first four months of 2026/27. Source 1 Source 2
  5. Waltham Forest Council approved an £18 million investment in September 2026 to convert four buildings into 60 temporary homes. 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 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 12

  1. Camden's Homelessness Partnership: Progress and Integrated Approach Camden's Health and Wellbeing Board convened on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, to discuss the progress and future aims of the Homelessness System Partnership. The partnership aims... Camden 21 December 2025
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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