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 18

  1. Harrow Council's Risk Register Flags Homelessness, Finances, and Other Key Concerns Harrow Council's financial risk register has flagged increasing homelessness and budget pressures as key concerns, alongside challenges in adult social care and health and... Harrow 25 July 2025
  2. Harrow Council Reports £1.5M Surplus Amid Audit Concerns, Property Revaluations, and Risk Register Highlights Harrow Council has reported a £1.5 million surplus for the 2024-2025 financial year, despite concerns raised during a Governance, Audit, Risk Management and Standards Committee... Harrow 25 July 2025
  3. Tower Hamlets Faces £16.9m Homelessness Budget Pressure Amid Rising Temporary Accommodation Numbers Tower Hamlets is grappling with significant budgetary pressures, particularly in addressing homelessness, with a projected £16.9m overspend. The issue was brought to light... Tower Hamlets 23 July 2025
  4. Lambeth's Homelessness Strategy Focuses on Prevention, Accommodation Lambeth Council is intensifying its efforts to prevent homelessness and provide appropriate accommodation, according to an update presented at the Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee... Lambeth 22 July 2025
  5. Southwark Council Reviews Financial Management Compliance Southwark Council's Audit, Governance and Standards Committee convened on Monday, 14 July 2025, to review the council's financial management and governance practices. The... Southwark 21 July 2025
  6. Waltham Forest Libraries to Become Community Support Hubs Waltham Forest libraries are set to become hubs for community support, offering a range of services to residents in a more accessible and integrated way. Through Waltham Forest... Waltham Forest 20 July 2025
  7. Westminster to Acquire Property for Temporary Accommodation Westminster City Council is set to purchase a newly constructed freehold building in the HA0 area to provide temporary accommodation for those in need, as part of a broader... Westminster 20 July 2025
  8. Newham Council approves temporary accommodation in Plaistow Newham Council has approved a planning application to convert a former office building in Plaistow into temporary accommodation for vulnerable individuals. The development,... Newham 20 July 2025