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 6

  1. Landlord checks to be enhanced under new Richmond policy Richmond Council has adopted a new Private Rented Sector Offer Policy, aiming to enhance landlord checks and provide more settled accommodation options for individuals facing... Richmond upon Thames 1 August 2026
  2. Richmond Housing Team Welcomes New Director as Part of Homelessness Strategy Richmond upon Thames Council has welcomed Altin Smiley as its new Director of Housing, a move central to a broader strategy aimed at tackling homelessness and reducing the... Richmond upon Thames 1 August 2026
  3. Richmond Council aims for £1.9m savings with housing policy Richmond Council is set to achieve significant savings of up to £1.92 million annually by the financial year 2029-30 through the adoption of a new Private Rented Sector Offer... Richmond upon Thames 1 August 2026
  4. Council approves revised parking fees Tower Hamlets Council's Cabinet has approved revised parking fees and charges aimed at managing demand and enhancing the financial sustainability of the parking service. The... Tower Hamlets 31 July 2026
  5. Wandsworth Council Adopts New Policy to House Homeless in Private Rented Sector Wandsworth Council has adopted a new policy to house homeless individuals and families in the private rented sector, aiming to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation and... Wandsworth 30 July 2026
  6. Wandsworth Council Reports £9.8m Budget Overspend Driven by Social Care and Homelessness Costs Wandsworth Council has reported a significant budget overspend of £9.8 million for the 2025/26 financial year, a deficit primarily driven by increased demand and costs in adult... Wandsworth 30 July 2026
  7. Council tax hike doubles burden on poorest, Labour claims Labour councillors have claimed that a recent council tax increase will disproportionately burden the poorest residents in Kensington and Chelsea, effectively doubling their... Kensington and Chelsea 25 July 2026
  8. New legislation forces changes to Hackney planning decisions Hackney Council is preparing to significantly reform its planning decision-making processes in line with new national legislation, the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025,... Hackney 25 July 2026