Issue

Homelessness

165 stories · discussed at 250 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are currently approving new strategies to combat homelessness and addressing the financial pressures of temporary accommodation.

Brent Council approved a five-year plan to combat homelessness and rough sleeping on 12 October 2026, aiming to prevent homelessness for 42% of at-risk households and improve temporary accommodation. Hackney Council's trial of 'no fixed abode' market licenses helped house two individuals and establish income streams, as discussed on 15 October 2026. Ealing Council also approved a new policy for placing homeless households in temporary accommodation on 7 October 2026.

To increase housing supply, Croydon Council approved a new strategy to tackle homelessness on 23 September 2026, projecting £10 million in savings by 2030, and plans to build 1,000 new homes. The council also reduced void turnaround times by 55% to 47 days by September 2026. Brent Council confirmed its commitment to a community housing project for 19 affordable homes on 12 October 2026.

Councils are also addressing financial pressures, with Brent Council facing an anticipated £38 million expenditure on nightly paid temporary accommodation, discussed on 14 September 2026. Enfield Council approved a £7.3 million budget realignment in September 2026, partly due to pressures in homelessness services. Greenwich's Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to consider support for residents with No Recourse to Public Funds on 15 October 2026, and Kensington and Chelsea's Housing & Communities Select Committee is scheduled to meet on 19 October 2026.

Key facts

  1. Hackney Council's 'no fixed abode' market licenses helped house two individuals by 15 October 2026. Source
  2. Brent Council approved a five-year Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan on 12 October 2026. Source
  3. Ealing Council approved a new policy for placing homeless households in temporary accommodation on 7 October 2026. Source
  4. Croydon Council approved a new strategy to tackle homelessness on 23 September 2026, projecting £10 million in savings. Source
  5. Brent Council faces an anticipated £38 million expenditure on nightly paid temporary accommodation, discussed on 14 September 2026. 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 16 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 12

  1. Croydon Secures £2m Developer Funds for Transport Infrastructure Upgrades Croydon is set to benefit from over £2 million in developer funds secured through Section 106 agreements, aimed at enhancing the borough's transport infrastructure and... Croydon 10 March 2026
  2. Balham Neighbourhood Wardens Pilot Launched to Address Resident Concerns Balham residents' views on town centre improvements have directly shaped plans for the area, with a new Neighbourhood Wardens pilot set to be launched. Wandsworth 25 February 2026
  3. Tower Hamlets Approves New 10-Year Housing Strategy with £609 Million Investment Tower Hamlets Council has approved a new 10-year housing strategy aimed at delivering more homes, better homes, safer homes across the borough. The strategy, adopted at a... Tower Hamlets 22 February 2026
  4. Hillingdon Council Endorses New Community Safety Strategy Hillingdon Council's Cabinet has endorsed a new Community Safety Strategy for 2026-2029, outlining four key priorities to enhance safety across the borough. The strategy,... Hillingdon 22 February 2026
  5. HRA Rents to Increase by CPI + 1% for 2026/27 Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Cabinet has approved a rent increase for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) properties of 4.8% for the 2026/27 financial year. This increase, which... Hammersmith and Fulham 14 February 2026
  6. Hillingdon Council grapples with rising demand for temporary accommodation Hillingdon Council is grappling with significant pressure on its homelessness services, driven by a high demand for temporary accommodation and a growing strain on its budget.... Hillingdon 19 January 2026
  7. Harrow Council Intensifies Fight Against Illegal HMOs with Focus on Headstone Harrow Council is intensifying its efforts to combat the proliferation of illegal Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the borough, with a particular focus on areas like... Harrow 18 January 2026
  8. Islington Rents Soar, Evictions Rise Due to Housing Benefit Freeze Islington faces a concerning rise in rents and evictions, exacerbated by a freeze in housing benefits, according to a recent meeting of the Homes and Communities Scrutiny... Islington 30 December 2025