Issue

Affordable Housing

631 stories · discussed at 793 council meetings · 33 councils

Councils are currently focused on increasing affordable housing supply through new developments and funding, alongside discussions on housing targets and planning policies.

In November 2026, Tower Hamlets Council approved a new development at Tomlinson Close, which will include 33 affordable homes at social rent levels. Also in November 2026, Bexley Labour councillors called for a significant increase in affordable housing and council properties. Bromley Council accepted a grant from the Greater London Authority in October 2026 to support affordable housing development within the borough.

Lewisham Council is set to consult in November 2026 on new planning guidance that will generally discourage further purpose-built student accommodation, citing concerns about its impact on conventional housing targets. Merton Council granted planning permission for 67 new homes at 57 High Path, Wimbledon, in October 2026.

Upcoming meetings in November 2026 for Camden, Haringey, Richmond upon Thames, Kensington and Chelsea, and Redbridge will include discussions related to housing. Affordable housing refers to homes made available for purchase or rent at a cost accessible to people with low to moderate incomes.

Key facts

  1. Tower Hamlets Council approved a development at Tomlinson Close in November 2026 that will deliver 33 affordable homes at social rent levels. Source
  2. Lewisham Council will consult on new planning guidance to discourage further purpose-built student accommodation to avoid compromising housing targets. Source
  3. Bexley Labour councillors called for a significant increase in affordable housing and council properties in November 2026. Source
  4. Bromley Council accepted a grant from the GLA's Affordable and Social Housing Programme in October 2026. Source
  5. Merton Council granted planning permission for 67 new homes at 57 High Path, Wimbledon, in October 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 6 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 25

  1. Lambeth's Vauxhall Square plan: 1,097 homes, but only 25% affordable Lambeth Council's Planning Applications Committee has approved plans for the redevelopment of Vauxhall Square, a significant mixed-use development that will deliver 1,097 new... Lambeth 9 September 2026
  2. Surbiton committee defers controversial housing plan Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee has deferred a controversial housing plan for 42 Guilford Avenue, Surbiton, to allow for further information to be gathered. The decision was... Kingston upon Thames 9 September 2026
  3. Community flat converted to affordable housing Hackney Council's Planning Sub-Committee has granted planning permission for the conversion of a community flat into a much-needed affordable housing unit. The decision, made... Hackney 7 September 2026
  4. Hackney Council Grants Temporary Sauna Permission for Climbing Centre Amid Resident Objections Hackney Council's Planning Sub-Committee has granted temporary planning permission for a 16-person sauna to be installed at The Castle Climbing Centre. The decision, made at a... Hackney 7 September 2026
  5. Barnet Council brings IT services back in-house Barnet Council has decided to bring its IT End User and Managed Infrastructure services back in-house, effective from October 1, 2026. The decision follows the abandonment of a... Barnet 5 September 2026
  6. IT contract failure leads to staff transfer Barnet Council is bringing its IT End User and Managed Infrastructure services back in-house following the collapse of a new IT contract procurement process. The decision, made... Barnet 5 September 2026
  7. Councillor questions IT bidder's cost hike Barnet Council has decided to bring its IT End User and Managed Infrastructure services back in-house after a procurement process for a new contract was abandoned. The decision,... Barnet 5 September 2026
  8. Bexley approves HMO conversions despite parking fears Bexley Council's Planning Committee has approved six residential development applications, including several changes of use to Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs), despite... Bexley 4 September 2026