Issue

Homelessness

165 stories · discussed at 252 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 18

  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