Issue

Rough Sleeping

17 stories · discussed at 15 council meetings · 16 councils

Havering Council is leading current discussions on new strategies to reduce rough sleeping and temporary accommodation costs, while other councils focus on housing supply and support services.

Havering Council is currently implementing its Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2029, which aims to achieve £11-12 million in annual savings by reducing reliance on temporary accommodation. This strategy was scrutinised by the People Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee in September 2026. In the same month, Havering Council was questioned on its approach to securing adequate government funding for temporary accommodation to end rough sleeping.

Other councils are also focusing on increasing housing supply and managing rough sleeper numbers. Hillingdon Council approved its Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2030 in March 2026, prioritising prevention and increasing housing provision. Barking and Dagenham Council reported a surge in rough sleepers to 19 in January 2026, committing to a target of zero by 2031, while Haringey Council accepted a £2.1 million grant for prevention in March 2026.

These efforts build on earlier strategies, such as Camden Council's 2025-2030 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy unveiled in December 2025, which includes plans to buy back 280 homes. Ealing Council extended its rough sleeping services with St Mungo's until September 2027, as it has the highest number of rough sleepers in West London, a decision made in October 2025.

Key facts

  1. Havering Council's new strategy aims for £11-12 million annual savings by reducing temporary accommodation. Source
  2. Hillingdon Council approved its Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2030 in March 2026. Source
  3. Barking and Dagenham Council reported 19 rough sleepers in January 2026, aiming for zero by 2031. Source
  4. Haringey Council accepted a £2,137,751 grant for rough sleeping prevention in March 2026. Source
  5. Camden Council's 2025-2030 strategy includes buying back 280 homes for homeless families. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. 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 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 2

  1. Camden Council Unveils 2025-2030 Homelessness Strategy, Including Buy-Back of 280 Homes Camden Council is set to buy back 280 homes to provide housing for homeless families in the borough, as part of its new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2025-2030.... Camden 13 December 2025
  2. Haringey Council to Review HMO Licensing After Guardian Report Haringey Council is set to review its licensing of Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) following a report in The Guardian newspaper. The decision was made at a Full Council... Haringey 28 November 2025
  3. Haringey Council Aims to End Rough Sleeping, Sets Ambitious Targets Haringey Council is intensifying its efforts to eradicate rough sleeping in the borough, building on a 33% reduction achieved since 2022. At a Full Council meeting on Monday,... Haringey 28 November 2025
  4. Ealing Extends Rough Sleeping Services with St Mungo's Ealing Council is extending its rough sleeping services through an interim contract with St Mungo's, ensuring continuity of support for vulnerable individuals in the borough.... Ealing 19 October 2025
  5. Homelessness Surges 35% in Kensington and Chelsea The number of households in temporary accommodation in Kensington and Chelsea has risen sharply, mirroring a national trend, according to a report discussed at the Joint Health... Kensington and Chelsea 29 September 2025
  6. 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
  7. Lambeth's Homelessness Strategy Focuses on Prevention, Accommodation Lambeth Council is intensifying its efforts to prevent homelessness and provide appropriate accommodation, according to an update presented at the Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee... Lambeth 22 July 2025
  8. Islington Seeks £6M Grant for Homeless Accommodation Islington Council is seeking £6 million in external grant funding from the Greater London Authority (GLA) to support its supported accommodation facility for people experiencing... Islington 20 July 2025