Issue

Homelessness

164 stories · discussed at 247 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are developing new strategies and policies to address homelessness, focusing on prevention, housing supply, and managing rising temporary accommodation costs.

Hackney Council's trial of 'no fixed abode' market licenses in October 2026 successfully helped two individuals secure housing and income. Brent Council's Cabinet approved a five-year Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan (2026-2031) in October 2026, aiming to prevent homelessness for 42% of households at risk. Ealing Council's Cabinet also approved a new policy in October 2026 to standardise the placement of homeless households in temporary accommodation.

Councils continue to face significant financial pressures related to homelessness. Brent Council anticipates spending £38 million on nightly paid temporary accommodation, forecasting a £9.5 million overspend in September 2026. Enfield Council approved a £7.3 million budget realignment in September 2026, partly due to pressures in homelessness services. Croydon Council approved a Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2030) in September 2026, projecting £10 million in savings.

Croydon Council is also planning to build 1,000 new homes to address homelessness, submitting a bid to the Greater London Authority in September 2026. Hammersmith and Fulham Council unveiled its Housing Strategy for 2026-2031 in September 2026, prioritising homelessness prevention and affordable homes. Councils will continue to discuss homelessness at upcoming meetings, including Waltham Forest's Integrated Meeting of WF Health & Wellbeing and Health & Care Partnership Boards on October 19, 2026.

Key facts

  1. Hackney Council's 'no fixed abode' market licenses trial led to two individuals being housed and establishing income streams in October 2026. Source
  2. Brent Council's Cabinet approved a five-year Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan (2026-2031) on October 12, 2026. Source
  3. Ealing Council's Cabinet approved a new policy for placing homeless households in temporary accommodation on October 7, 2026. Source
  4. Brent Council anticipates spending £38 million on nightly paid temporary accommodation, forecasting a £9.5 million overspend in September 2026. Source
  5. Croydon Council approved a Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2030) on September 23, 2026, projecting £10 million in savings. 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 15 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 3

  1. Croydon Council Slashes Void Turnaround Times by 55% to Tackle Housing Shortages Croydon Council has significantly reduced the time it takes to make empty homes ready for new tenants, a key initiative to tackle housing shortages and reduce homelessness. Croydon 16 September 2026
  2. Concerns over rising temporary accommodation costs in Brent Brent Council is facing escalating costs for temporary accommodation, with an anticipated expenditure of £38 million on nightly paid accommodation. This figure is expected to... Brent 16 September 2026
  3. Enfield Council Approves £7.3m Budget Realignment for Social Care and Key Services Enfield Council's Cabinet has approved a £7.3 million budget realignment, primarily directing funds towards Adult Social Care and other key services. The decision, made during... Enfield 13 September 2026
  4. Housing strategy review planned Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet has approved plans to review the borough's housing strategy, a move that will involve a two-year consultation process with residents and... Waltham Forest 12 September 2026
  5. Council approves £18m for temporary homes Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet has approved a £18 million investment to convert four council-owned buildings into temporary homes for homeless families, with works set to... Waltham Forest 12 September 2026
  6. 130 Trumpington Road to house homeless Waltham Forest Council's Planning Committee has granted full planning permission for the change of use of 130 Trumpington Road, Forest Gate, from a residential care home to... Waltham Forest 12 September 2026
  7. Notting Hill Gate facade plans approved despite anti-social behaviour fears Plans to replace the facades of a Notting Hill Gate building have been approved by Kensington and Chelsea Council, following a meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. The... Kensington and Chelsea 11 September 2026
  8. Lewisham Council to spend £135m on temporary accommodation Lewisham Council is set to spend £135 million on temporary accommodation over the next three years to address its statutory homelessness duties. Lewisham 10 September 2026