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 9

  1. Civic Centre FF&E contracts awarded Haringey Council has awarded contracts for fixtures, fittings, and equipment (FF&E) for its new Civic Centre, a key step in the project to establish the council's new... Haringey 31 March 2026
  2. Aldi seeks early morning alcohol sales on Edgware Road Aldi is seeking to begin selling alcohol from 7am on weekdays at its Edgware Road store, an hour earlier than currently permitted. The supermarket chain has applied to... Westminster 28 March 2026
  3. Mudchute Farm lease renewed for 30 years Tower Hamlets Council's Cabinet has approved a 30-year lease renewal for Mudchute Farm and Park, securing the long-term future of the popular city farm. The decision, made... Tower Hamlets 26 March 2026
  4. Hillingdon Council Approves New Strategy to Combat Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Hillingdon Council has approved a new strategy aimed at tackling homelessness and rough sleeping across the borough, with a significant focus on prevention and increasing... Hillingdon 23 March 2026
  5. Southwark Council Awards £12.8m in Contracts for Mental Health Supported Housing Southwark Council's Cabinet has approved the award of eight contracts totalling £12.88 million for the provision of mental health supported housing, aiming to provide stable and... Southwark 20 March 2026
  6. Islington Council's Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee reviews homelessness prevention and temporary accommodation Islington Council's Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee has reviewed the council's performance in tackling homelessness, focusing on homelessness prevention and temporary... Islington 19 March 2026
  7. Westminster City Council Adopts New Housing Strategy for 2026-2031 Westminster City Council's Cabinet has adopted a new housing strategy for 2026-2031, aiming to improve housing quality, prevent homelessness, and ensure well-managed homes for... Westminster 18 March 2026
  8. Homelessness risk and temporary accommodation costs debated Tower Hamlets Council's Audit Committee has debated significant concerns regarding the risk of homelessness and the escalating costs associated with temporary accommodation. Tower Hamlets 15 March 2026