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 21

  1. Camden Council Faces £22.8m General Fund Overspend Amidst Rising Costs and Uncertain Funding Camden Council faces significant financial challenges, reporting a £22.8m overspend in its General Fund and a £3.2m overspend in the Housing Revenue Account. This financial... Camden 12 July 2025
  2. Homeless Get Dental Care Thanks to Bromley Healthcare Bromley Healthcare has implemented a dental service for homeless individuals, providing oral health advice and clinical follow-up appointments. The service is delivered in... Bromley 9 July 2025
  3. Hackney Council Reduces Overspend but Faces Ongoing Financial Challenges in Housing and Social Care Hackney Council has made strides in reducing its projected overspend for the 2024/25 financial year, but significant financial challenges remain, particularly in housing and... Hackney 5 July 2025
  4. Enfield Council to Vote on Housing & Growth Strategy 2025-2030 Enfield Council is set to vote on its Housing & Growth Strategy 2025-2030, a plan designed to address the borough's housing needs through partnership and long-term investment.... Enfield 5 July 2025
  5. Wandsworth Council Faces Housing Overspend Due to Rising Homelessness Costs and HRA Pressures Wandsworth Council is facing significant financial challenges in its housing sector, primarily due to rising homelessness costs and pressures on the Housing Revenue Account... Wandsworth 5 July 2025