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 20

  1. Wandsworth Invests £10M+ in Homes to Reduce Temp Accommodation Use Wandsworth Council is set to invest over £10 million in acquiring new homes to reduce its reliance on temporary accommodation, particularly for larger families. The decision,... Wandsworth 17 July 2025
  2. Wandsworth Council to Lease 186 New Temporary Accommodation Units in Tooting Broadway Wandsworth Council is set to lease 186 new temporary accommodation units in the Tooting Broadway ward, a move aimed at providing stable housing for homeless families and... Wandsworth 17 July 2025
  3. Hillingdon Council Urges Government to Increase Support for Asylum Seekers and Refund Local Costs Hillingdon Council has called on the government to provide more support for asylum seekers housed in the borough, citing an unsustainable burden on local residents and a £5... Hillingdon 16 July 2025
  4. iGAS Cluster Identified in Camden & Islington, Primarily Affecting Vulnerable Populations A cluster of Invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) cases has been identified in Camden and Islington, according to a health protection update presented at the Camden Health and... Camden 13 July 2025
  5. Southwark Council to Decriminalise Rough Sleeping and Appoint Rough Sleeper Coordinator Southwark Council is set to decriminalise rough sleeping, marking a significant shift in its approach to tackling homelessness in the borough. This move addresses the current... Southwark 13 July 2025
  6. Merton Council Allocates £20M for Temporary Housing; Addresses Concerns About Children in Temporary Accommodation Merton Council has allocated £20 million to purchase temporary accommodation within the borough. The council aims to purchase various types of temporary accommodation within... Merton 13 July 2025
  7. Haringey Fails to Secure Provider for Young Women's Housing Haringey Council has been unable to secure a provider for housing support services specifically tailored for young women, raising concerns about the future of this vital service. Haringey 12 July 2025
  8. Camden Council Faces £22.8m General Fund Overspend Amidst Rising Costs and Uncertain Funding Camden Council faces significant financial challenges, reporting a £22.8m overspend in its General Fund and a £3.2m overspend in the Housing Revenue Account. This financial... Camden 12 July 2025