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 15

  1. Brent Council Prepares for Renters Reform Bill Brent Council is preparing for the implementation of the Renters Reform Bill, expected between April and June 2026, with the aim of improving living standards for renters across... Brent 14 November 2025
  2. Ealing Council Faces Significant Social Care Overspend Due to Rising Costs and Demand Ealing Council is facing a significant projected overspend in its social care budget, driven by the increasing complexity and costs associated with children's social care, adult... Ealing 10 November 2025
  3. Westminster Pension Fund Considers Investing in Temporary Housing via Loan to LLP Westminster Council's Pension Fund Committee is considering a potential investment in temporary accommodation, aiming to generate impact and financial returns. The committee met... Westminster 9 November 2025
  4. Croydon Faces Rising Nightly Accommodation Costs Amid Homelessness Crisis and Financial Strain Croydon's nightly paid accommodation costs have risen, according to a recent financial performance report, placing additional strain on the council's Housing Revenue Account... Croydon 9 November 2025
  5. Tower Hamlets to Increase Rent for Some in Temporary Housing Tower Hamlets Council is set to increase rents for some residents living in temporary housing, a move aimed at maximising Housing Benefit subsidy income and addressing a... Tower Hamlets 4 November 2025
  6. Hillingdon Council Faces £30.2M Budget Overspend Hillingdon Council is facing a significant financial challenge with a projected £30.2 million budget overspend, primarily driven by increasing demand for essential statutory... Hillingdon 28 October 2025
  7. Westminster Faces Soaring Homelessness, Pays Out £66k in Compensation for Unsuitable Housing Westminster City Council is grappling with a surge in homelessness applications, leading to increased compensation payouts for unsuitable temporary accommodation. Westminster 28 October 2025
  8. Ealing to Introduce Private Renters Association Ealing Council is set to launch a Private Renters Association to support the borough's 15,000 private renting families. The initiative, aiming to launch on 30 October, will... Ealing 25 October 2025