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 17

  1. Westminster Reviews Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Westminster City Council has reviewed its strategy for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, a key priority for the council. The Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny... Westminster 14 September 2025
  2. Waltham Forest faces £31.4M budget overspend Waltham Forest is grappling with a significant budget overspend of £31.4 million, according to a recent report presented to the Budget Scrutiny Committee. Like many other local... Waltham Forest 8 September 2025
  3. Barking & Dagenham Review Officer Powers, Delegation Scheme Barking and Dagenham Council has undertaken a comprehensive review of its constitution, including officer powers and the delegation scheme, to enhance service performance and... Barking and Dagenham 3 August 2025
  4. Harrow Faces £5.9M Housing Overspend Due to Rising Homelessness Costs Harrow Council is facing significant financial challenges as rising homelessness costs have led to a £5.9 million overspend in the Housing General Fund. The council anticipates... Harrow 31 July 2025
  5. Brent Faces £30M Budget Gap Amid Rising Homelessness Costs Brent Council is grappling with a £30 million budget shortfall over the next three years, driven in part by rising homelessness costs, according to reports presented at a recent... Brent 31 July 2025
  6. Lambeth Council Faces £60.5M Overspend Driven by Housing Costs; Future Savings of £84M Needed Lambeth Council is facing a significant financial challenge, grappling with a £60.5 million overspend, primarily driven by rising housing costs for homeless families. The dire... Lambeth 29 July 2025
  7. H&F Council Faces £6.4M Overspend on Temporary Accommodation Hammersmith and Fulham Council is grappling with a significant overspend of £6.4 million on temporary accommodation, despite efforts to mitigate the rising costs of homelessness... Hammersmith and Fulham 29 July 2025
  8. Croydon to Improve Casework Training for Homelessness Services Croydon Council is set to enhance casework training for its homelessness services, aiming to improve support for residents facing housing challenges, with a particular emphasis... Croydon 29 July 2025