Homelessness
Councils are developing new strategies and policies to address homelessness, focusing on prevention, housing supply, and managing rising temporary accommodation costs.
Hackney Council's trial of 'no fixed abode' market licenses in October 2026 successfully helped two individuals secure housing and income. Brent Council's Cabinet approved a five-year Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan (2026-2031) in October 2026, aiming to prevent homelessness for 42% of households at risk. Ealing Council's Cabinet also approved a new policy in October 2026 to standardise the placement of homeless households in temporary accommodation.
Councils continue to face significant financial pressures related to homelessness. Brent Council anticipates spending £38 million on nightly paid temporary accommodation, forecasting a £9.5 million overspend in September 2026. Enfield Council approved a £7.3 million budget realignment in September 2026, partly due to pressures in homelessness services. Croydon Council approved a Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2030) in September 2026, projecting £10 million in savings.
Croydon Council is also planning to build 1,000 new homes to address homelessness, submitting a bid to the Greater London Authority in September 2026. Hammersmith and Fulham Council unveiled its Housing Strategy for 2026-2031 in September 2026, prioritising homelessness prevention and affordable homes. Councils will continue to discuss homelessness at upcoming meetings, including Waltham Forest's Integrated Meeting of WF Health & Wellbeing and Health & Care Partnership Boards on October 19, 2026.
Key facts
- Hackney Council's 'no fixed abode' market licenses trial led to two individuals being housed and establishing income streams in October 2026. Source
- Brent Council's Cabinet approved a five-year Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan (2026-2031) on October 12, 2026. Source
- Ealing Council's Cabinet approved a new policy for placing homeless households in temporary accommodation on October 7, 2026. Source
- Brent Council anticipates spending £38 million on nightly paid temporary accommodation, forecasting a £9.5 million overspend in September 2026. Source
- Croydon Council approved a Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2030) on September 23, 2026, projecting £10 million in savings. 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 15 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.