Issue

Homelessness

156 stories · discussed at 243 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are addressing rising homelessness costs and demand through new strategies, housing supply initiatives, and temporary accommodation investments.

Croydon Council approved a new strategy in September 2026 to tackle homelessness and boost housing supply, projecting £10 million in savings by 2030. This comes as Brent Council anticipates spending £38 million on nightly paid temporary accommodation, forecasting a significant overspend in September 2026. Lewisham Council also approved £135 million for temporary accommodation over three years in September 2026 to meet statutory duties.

Hackney Council is investing £145 million in its Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Supply Transformation Programme for 2026/27, though it saw a 29% drop in homelessness prevention success in the first four months of 2026/27. Waltham Forest Council approved an £18 million investment in September 2026 to convert four buildings into 60 temporary homes. Croydon Council plans 1,000 new homes and reduced void turnaround times by 55% to 47 days by September 2026.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council unveiled its 2026-2031 Housing Strategy in September 2026, prioritising homelessness prevention and affordable homes. Southwark Council overhauled its Housing Allocations Scheme in September 2026 to focus on housing need. Tower Hamlets Council is committing £609 million to housing upgrades over the next decade, discussed in October 2026. Waltham Forest's Shareholder Committee will receive an update on its housing scheme on 6 October 2026, and Hounslow's Cabinet Member Single Member Decision on 6 October 2026 involves approving funding for a new residential children's home.

Key facts

  1. Croydon Council approved a new strategy in September 2026, projecting £10 million in savings by 2030. Source
  2. Brent Council anticipates spending £38 million on nightly paid temporary accommodation, forecasting an overspend in September 2026. Source
  3. Lewisham Council approved spending £135 million on temporary accommodation over three years in September 2026. Source
  4. Hackney Council is investing £145 million in its Homelessness Transformation Programme for 2026/27. Source
  5. Hackney Council saw a 29% drop in homelessness prevention success in the first four months of 2026/27. 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 5

  1. Richmond Housing Team Welcomes New Director as Part of Homelessness Strategy Richmond upon Thames Council has welcomed Altin Smiley as its new Director of Housing, a move central to a broader strategy aimed at tackling homelessness and reducing the... Richmond upon Thames 1 August 2026
  2. Richmond Council aims for £1.9m savings with housing policy Richmond Council is set to achieve significant savings of up to £1.92 million annually by the financial year 2029-30 through the adoption of a new Private Rented Sector Offer... Richmond upon Thames 1 August 2026
  3. Council approves revised parking fees Tower Hamlets Council's Cabinet has approved revised parking fees and charges aimed at managing demand and enhancing the financial sustainability of the parking service. The... Tower Hamlets 31 July 2026
  4. Wandsworth Council Adopts New Policy to House Homeless in Private Rented Sector Wandsworth Council has adopted a new policy to house homeless individuals and families in the private rented sector, aiming to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation and... Wandsworth 30 July 2026
  5. Wandsworth Council Reports £9.8m Budget Overspend Driven by Social Care and Homelessness Costs Wandsworth Council has reported a significant budget overspend of £9.8 million for the 2025/26 financial year, a deficit primarily driven by increased demand and costs in adult... Wandsworth 30 July 2026
  6. Council tax hike doubles burden on poorest, Labour claims Labour councillors have claimed that a recent council tax increase will disproportionately burden the poorest residents in Kensington and Chelsea, effectively doubling their... Kensington and Chelsea 25 July 2026
  7. New legislation forces changes to Hackney planning decisions Hackney Council is preparing to significantly reform its planning decision-making processes in line with new national legislation, the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025,... Hackney 25 July 2026
  8. Lambeth Council Recovers £1.2m in Right to Buy Fraud and 79 Tenancies Lambeth Council has successfully recovered over £1.2 million in fraudulent Right to Buy discounts, as revealed in a report presented to the Audit and Risk Committee. The... Lambeth 25 July 2026