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 13

  1. Hillingdon Council Faces £30M Overspend Due to Social Care Demand and Savings Shortfalls Hillingdon Council is facing a significant £30.2 million overspend, primarily driven by increasing demand for social care services. Adult Social Care demand is contributing... Hillingdon 23 November 2025
  2. Richmond Council Faces £3.885 Million Overspend Due to Homelessness and Children's Social Care Costs Richmond Council is facing a projected overspend of £3.885 million, primarily due to rising costs in homelessness and children's social care, according to the Corporate Q2... Richmond upon Thames 22 November 2025
  3. Barnet Faces £31M Bill Without Action on Temporary Housing Barnet Council faces a potential £31 million budget shortfall by 2030 if action isn't taken to reduce the reliance on temporary housing. Key barriers to successfully... Barnet 20 November 2025
  4. Ombudsman Slams Lewisham's Homelessness Support, Orders Payouts After Failures in Ms. X's Case Lewisham Council has been ordered to pay compensation to a resident after the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) found fault in its handling of her homelessness... Lewisham 20 November 2025
  5. Homelessness Crisis Drives £2.2M Overspend in Richmond Richmond upon Thames is grappling with a significant homelessness crisis, leading to a projected £2.2 million overspend in the council's budget. The Adult Social Services,... Richmond upon Thames 18 November 2025
  6. Redbridge to Improve Housing Complaints Process Redbridge Council is set to improve its housing complaints process following a review by the Homes and Neighbourhoods Policy Development Committee, aiming to address... Redbridge 18 November 2025
  7. Redbridge Council Considers Travel Subsidy and Other Measures to Support Homeless Residents and Improve Housing Services Redbridge Council is considering offering a travel subsidy to homeless residents, alongside access to local facilities and services, as part of a broader effort to improve... Redbridge 18 November 2025
  8. Islington Council Addresses Housing Complaint Delays and Performance Islington Council is taking steps to address delays in handling housing complaints, according to a recent meeting of the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee. The council's... Islington 16 November 2025