Issue

Homelessness

164 stories · discussed at 249 council meetings · 32 councils

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

  1. Hackney Council's 'no fixed abode' market licenses trial led to two individuals being housed and establishing income streams in October 2026. Source
  2. Brent Council's Cabinet approved a five-year Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan (2026-2031) on October 12, 2026. Source
  3. Ealing Council's Cabinet approved a new policy for placing homeless households in temporary accommodation on October 7, 2026. Source
  4. Brent Council anticipates spending £38 million on nightly paid temporary accommodation, forecasting a £9.5 million overspend in September 2026. Source
  5. 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.

Stories, page 19

  1. Harrow Council Reports £1.5M Surplus Amid Audit Concerns, Property Revaluations, and Risk Register Highlights Harrow Council has reported a £1.5 million surplus for the 2024-2025 financial year, despite concerns raised during a Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee... Harrow 25 July 2025
  2. Tower Hamlets Faces £16.9m Homelessness Budget Pressure Amid Rising Temporary Accommodation Numbers Tower Hamlets is grappling with significant budgetary pressures, particularly in addressing homelessness, with a projected £16.9m overspend. The issue was brought to light... Tower Hamlets 23 July 2025
  3. Lambeth's Homelessness Strategy Focuses on Prevention, Accommodation Lambeth Council is intensifying its efforts to prevent homelessness and provide appropriate accommodation, according to an update presented at the Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee... Lambeth 22 July 2025
  4. Southwark Council Reviews Financial Management Compliance Southwark Council's Audit, Governance and Standards Committee convened on Monday, 14 July 2025, to review the council's financial management and governance practices. The... Southwark 21 July 2025
  5. Waltham Forest Libraries to Become Community Support Hubs Waltham Forest libraries are set to become hubs for community support, offering a range of services to residents in a more accessible and integrated way. Through Waltham Forest... Waltham Forest 20 July 2025
  6. Westminster to Acquire Property for Temporary Accommodation Westminster City Council is set to purchase a newly constructed freehold building in the HA0 area to provide temporary accommodation for those in need, as part of a broader... Westminster 20 July 2025
  7. Newham Council approves temporary accommodation in Plaistow Newham Council has approved a planning application to convert a former office building in Plaistow into temporary accommodation for vulnerable individuals. The development,... Newham 20 July 2025
  8. Camden Seeks Public Input on Homelessness Strategy Camden Council is seeking public input on its draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030, which builds upon the previous strategy from 2019-2024. The strategy aims... Camden 20 July 2025