Issue

Homelessness

157 stories · discussed at 246 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 16

  1. Richmond Faces £2.8M Overspend, Driven by Rising Homelessness Costs; Council Launches Transformation Programme and Addresses Funding Review Richmond upon Thames faces a projected £2.8 million overspend, with rising homelessness costs identified as a primary driver. The council is taking action to address the... Richmond upon Thames 29 September 2025
  2. Waltham Forest Tackles Homelessness with Housing Sustainment Team Waltham Forest Council is intensifying its efforts to combat homelessness through its Housing Sustainment Team, which supports families in the private rented sector who are at... Waltham Forest 28 September 2025
  3. Wandsworth Council Faces £1.6M Overspend Due to Housing and Health Pressures Wandsworth Council is facing a projected £1.6 million overspend, primarily driven by increasing demands on housing and health services. The council addressed these financial... Wandsworth 26 September 2025
  4. Hackney Scrutiny Commission to Review Housing Ombudsman Special Investigation Hackney Council's Living in Hackney Scrutiny Commission will review the Housing Ombudsman's special investigation into the council, as part of its work programme for 2025/26. Hackney 24 September 2025
  5. Westminster to Reshape Housing Service Amid Homelessness Surge Westminster City Council is set to implement a hybrid delivery model for its Housing Solutions Service (HSS) in April 2026, as the borough grapples with a significant surge in... Westminster 19 September 2025
  6. Debate Over Fate of Historic Altamira Villa Debate has ignited over the future of the historic Altamira villa in Brent, as the council considers its role in the redevelopment of the 1 Morland Gardens site. The council is... Brent 16 September 2025
  7. Brent Council Faces £15M Overspend on Temporary Accommodation Due to Rising Homelessness and Lack of Affordable Housing Brent Council is facing a significant financial challenge, with a £15.4 million overspend on temporary accommodation projected for the 2024/25 financial year. This substantially... Brent 16 September 2025
  8. Redbridge Council Faces £42m Budget Overspend Driven by Social Care and Homelessness Costs Redbridge Council is grappling with a significant budget shortfall, with a projected overspend of £42.033m for the 2025/26 financial year. The news comes from the Budgetary... Redbridge 15 September 2025