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 11

  1. Croydon Secures £2m Developer Funds for Transport Infrastructure Upgrades Croydon is set to benefit from over £2 million in developer funds secured through Section 106 agreements, aimed at enhancing the borough's transport infrastructure and... Croydon 10 March 2026
  2. Balham Neighbourhood Wardens Pilot Launched to Address Resident Concerns Balham residents' views on town centre improvements have directly shaped plans for the area, with a new Neighbourhood Wardens pilot set to be launched. Wandsworth 25 February 2026
  3. Tower Hamlets Approves New 10-Year Housing Strategy with £609 Million Investment Tower Hamlets Council has approved a new 10-year housing strategy aimed at delivering more homes, better homes, safer homes across the borough. The strategy, adopted at a... Tower Hamlets 22 February 2026
  4. Hillingdon Council Endorses New Community Safety Strategy Hillingdon Council's Cabinet has endorsed a new Community Safety Strategy for 2026-2029, outlining four key priorities to enhance safety across the borough. The strategy,... Hillingdon 22 February 2026
  5. HRA Rents to Increase by CPI + 1% for 2026/27 Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Cabinet has approved a rent increase for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) properties of 4.8% for the 2026/27 financial year. This increase, which... Hammersmith and Fulham 14 February 2026
  6. Hillingdon Council grapples with rising demand for temporary accommodation Hillingdon Council is grappling with significant pressure on its homelessness services, driven by a high demand for temporary accommodation and a growing strain on its budget.... Hillingdon 19 January 2026
  7. Harrow Council Intensifies Fight Against Illegal HMOs with Focus on Headstone Harrow Council is intensifying its efforts to combat the proliferation of illegal Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the borough, with a particular focus on areas like... Harrow 18 January 2026
  8. Islington Rents Soar, Evictions Rise Due to Housing Benefit Freeze Islington faces a concerning rise in rents and evictions, exacerbated by a freeze in housing benefits, according to a recent meeting of the Homes and Communities Scrutiny... Islington 30 December 2025