Issue

Homelessness

157 stories · discussed at 245 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are addressing escalating temporary accommodation costs and developing strategies to prevent homelessness and boost housing supply.

Lewisham's Mayor and Cabinet addressed a projected £7 million General Fund overspend in October 2026, partly due to high-cost temporary accommodation. Brent Council anticipates spending £38 million on nightly paid accommodation, with a further £9.5 million overspend forecast in September 2026. In September 2026, Hackney Council allocated £145 million for its Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Supply Transformation Programme for 2026/27, while Lewisham Council approved spending £135 million on temporary accommodation over three years.

Croydon Council approved a new strategy in September 2026 to tackle homelessness and boost housing supply, projecting £10 million in savings by 2030. The council is also planning to build 1,000 new homes and has reduced empty home turnaround times by 55%. Hammersmith and Fulham Council unveiled its Housing Strategy 2026-2031 in September 2026, prioritising homelessness prevention. Waltham Forest Council approved £18 million in September 2026 to convert four buildings into 60 temporary homes.

Tower Hamlets' Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee reviewed its 2026-27 scrutiny plans in October 2026, including a £609 million investment in housing stock. Hackney Council's Housing and Homelessness Scrutiny Commission launched a review into private landlord licensing in September 2026. Councils including Brent, Croydon, Enfield, Hackney, and Westminster have meetings scheduled in October 2026 where homelessness is on the agenda.

Key facts

  1. Tower Hamlets Council is investing £609 million over the next decade to improve its housing stock. Source 1 Source 2
  2. Croydon Council approved a new strategy in September 2026 projecting £10 million in savings by 2030. Source
  3. Brent Council anticipates £38 million expenditure on nightly paid temporary accommodation. Source
  4. Waltham Forest Council approved £18 million in September 2026 to convert four buildings into 60 temporary homes. 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 8 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 10

  1. Croydon's homelessness services improve customer experience with new appointment system and faster phone response Croydon's homelessness services are undergoing significant improvements to enhance the customer experience, following a review by the Housing Assurance Board. The board, which... Croydon 15 March 2026
  2. Croydon Council Addresses Temporary Accommodation Quality Concerns with New Landlord Scheme Croydon Council is implementing measures to address concerns over the quality of temporary accommodation and improve the experience of residents. The Housing Assurance Board met... Croydon 15 March 2026
  3. Croydon Council Implements New Strategy to Tackle Homelessness with Demand Management Focus Croydon Council is intensifying its efforts to combat homelessness with a new strategy focusing on demand management and improved customer experience. The Housing Assurance... Croydon 15 March 2026
  4. Enfield Council to distribute £7.4m crisis and resilience fund Enfield Council's Cabinet has approved the distribution of a £7.4 million annual fund aimed at providing crisis support and building resilience for residents facing financial... Enfield 15 March 2026
  5. Barnet Council Enhances Care Leaver Transition Planning Following Ofsted Feedback Barnet Council is enhancing its transition planning for care-experienced young people, incorporating feedback from a recent Ofsted focused visit. The Children and Education... Barnet 14 March 2026
  6. Haringey Council Accepts £2.1m Grant for Rough Sleeping Prevention Haringey Council has accepted a significant grant of £2,137,751 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to bolster its efforts in preventing and... Haringey 14 March 2026
  7. Haringey Council Approves Homelessness Strategy 2026-2027 Haringey Council's Cabinet has approved the Haringey Homelessness Strategy 2026-2027, a comprehensive plan developed over more than a year following a homelessness review and... Haringey 14 March 2026
  8. Harrow Launches New Strategy to Prevent Homelessness Through Early Intervention and Partnership Harrow Council has launched a new strategy aimed at preventing homelessness before it reaches crisis point, focusing on early intervention and partnership working to support... Harrow 13 March 2026