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 14

  1. Hillingdon Council Faces £30M Overspend Due to Social Care Demand and Savings Shortfalls Hillingdon Council is facing a significant £30.2 million overspend, primarily driven by increasing demand for social care services. Adult Social Care demand is contributing... Hillingdon 23 November 2025
  2. Richmond Council Faces £3.885 Million Overspend Due to Homelessness and Children's Social Care Costs Richmond Council is facing a projected overspend of £3.885 million, primarily due to rising costs in homelessness and children's social care, according to the Corporate Q2... Richmond upon Thames 22 November 2025
  3. Barnet Faces £31M Bill Without Action on Temporary Housing Barnet Council faces a potential £31 million budget shortfall by 2030 if action isn't taken to reduce the reliance on temporary housing. Key barriers to successfully... Barnet 20 November 2025
  4. Ombudsman Slams Lewisham's Homelessness Support, Orders Payouts After Failures in Ms. X's Case Lewisham Council has been ordered to pay compensation to a resident after the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) found fault in its handling of her homelessness... Lewisham 20 November 2025
  5. Homelessness Crisis Drives £2.2M Overspend in Richmond Richmond upon Thames is grappling with a significant homelessness crisis, leading to a projected £2.2 million overspend in the council's budget. The Adult Social Services,... Richmond upon Thames 18 November 2025
  6. Redbridge to Improve Housing Complaints Process Redbridge Council is set to improve its housing complaints process following a review by the Homes and Neighbourhoods Policy Development Committee, aiming to address... Redbridge 18 November 2025
  7. Redbridge Council Considers Travel Subsidy and Other Measures to Support Homeless Residents and Improve Housing Services Redbridge Council is considering offering a travel subsidy to homeless residents, alongside access to local facilities and services, as part of a broader effort to improve... Redbridge 18 November 2025
  8. Islington Council Addresses Housing Complaint Delays and Performance Islington Council is taking steps to address delays in handling housing complaints, according to a recent meeting of the Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee. The council's... Islington 16 November 2025