Issue

Affordable Housing

543 stories · discussed at 600 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are tackling housing shortages and homelessness through new strategies and development plans.

Croydon Council approved a new strategy in September 2026 to tackle homelessness and boost housing supply, projecting £10 million in savings. Southwark Council adopted a vision in September 2026 to combat child poverty and increase affordable homes, acknowledging high child poverty rates and housing department failings. Haringey's Cabinet Member for Housing approved a contractor in September 2026 to build 37 new homes at Woodridings Court N22.

Lambeth Council's Cabinet approved plans for approximately 830 new homes in September 2026, but the council faces a £9.3 million overspend, partly due to increased temporary accommodation costs. Hillingdon Council provided 510 social housing lettings over the past year, though it faces a chronic shortage of larger properties. Hackney Council defeated a motion in September 2026 concerning resident moves during regeneration due to financial and contractual risks.

Councils continue to address the provision of housing that is affordable to those with low to moderate incomes. Westminster's Growth and Planning and Children's and Education Policy and Scrutiny Committee and Havering's Strategic Planning Committee are scheduled to meet on October 1, 2026. Waltham Forest's Executive Decision is set for October 2, 2026.

Key facts

  1. Croydon Council approved a strategy in September 2026 aiming for £10 million in savings by tackling homelessness and boosting housing supply. Source
  2. Lambeth Council's Cabinet approved the SADPD in September 2026, paving the way for approximately 830 new homes. Source
  3. Hillingdon Council provided 510 social housing lettings over the past year, with 271 being council homes. Source
  4. Southwark Council's housing department was rated as having serious failings by the Regulator of Social Housing in 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 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 14

  1. Sutton GP Access Improves: 94% Secure Routine Appointments Within Two Weeks Sutton residents are experiencing improved access to routine GP appointments, with 94% now able to secure an appointment within two weeks. This figure, presented at the Health... Sutton 9 September 2026
  2. Vauxhall Square: Tallest building to be 69 storeys Lambeth Council's Planning Applications Committee has approved plans for the Vauxhall Square development, which will feature the tallest building in the scheme at 69 storeys. Lambeth 9 September 2026
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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