Housing Revenue Account
Councils are currently addressing significant budget overspends, with rising costs for temporary accommodation and social care impacting the ring-fenced Housing Revenue Account.
Harrow, Lambeth, and Newham Councils are currently reporting significant budget overspends for the first quarter of 2026/27, with figures of £3.039 million, £9.3 million, and £6.17 million respectively. These overspends, reported to their Cabinets in September 2026, are largely attributed to rising costs in areas such as temporary accommodation and children's and adult social care.
Westminster City Council also reported an £8.2 million overspend for the 2025/26 financial year, driven by temporary accommodation and children's social care, as discussed by its Cabinet in July 2026. These financial pressures affect how councils manage their housing activities through the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), a ring-fenced fund for local authority housing.
Looking ahead, Lambeth Council aims to deliver at least 10,000 new homes over the next decade, focusing on social rent, as reviewed in March 2026. Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet are scheduled to discuss this topic on 7 October 2026.
Key facts
- Harrow Council is facing a projected overspend of £3.039 million in its revenue budget for Q1 2026-27. Source
- Lambeth Council is facing a projected £9.3 million overspend in its Q1 2026/27 financial performance. Source
- Newham Council is facing a projected budget overspend of £6.17 million for the current financial year. Source
- Westminster City Council reported an £8.2 million overspend for the 2025/26 financial year. Source 1 Source 2
- Lambeth Council aims to deliver at least 10,000 new homes over the next decade. 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.