Issue

Homelessness

156 stories · discussed at 243 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 17

  1. Waltham Forest faces £31.4M budget overspend Waltham Forest is grappling with a significant budget overspend of £31.4 million, according to a recent report presented to the Budget Scrutiny Committee. Like many other local... Waltham Forest 8 September 2025
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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