Issue

Housing Issues

10 stories · discussed at 2 council meetings · 9 councils

Councils are currently addressing rising housing complaints, mental health links, and strategies to increase housing availability.

Kensington and Chelsea Council reported a 40% increase in complaints for 2025/26, with housing issues being a significant factor, partly due to a cyber-attack in November 2025. Hackney Council's Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission launched a review in July 2026 into mental health outcomes for Black women, noting links to housing inequalities. Croydon Council is implementing a "status on a page" system, proposed in April 2026, to streamline updates on housing issues for its Housing Assurance Board.

To address housing shortages, Kingston Council approved forming a company in November 2025 to acquire 150 homes. Sutton Council considered converting shared ownership housing at Beech Tree Place to affordable rent in November 2025, aiming to increase availability for residents in temporary accommodation. Harrow Council also bid to acquire 140 newly built homes in October 2025 to reduce reliance on temporary housing.

Housing issues, concerning the availability, quality, and affordability of residential properties, are discussed at various council meetings. Tower Hamlets Council's Overview & Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to discuss its provisional budget for 2026-27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2026-29 in January 2026.

Key facts

  1. Kensington and Chelsea Council's complaints increased by 40% in 2025/26, with housing issues leading. Source
  2. Hackney Council launched a review in July 2026 into mental health outcomes for Black women, linked to housing. Source
  3. Croydon Council is implementing a 'status on a page' system for housing issue updates, proposed in April 2026. Source
  4. Kingston Council approved forming a company in November 2025 to acquire 150 homes to tackle the housing crisis. Source
  5. Sutton Council considered converting shared ownership housing to affordable rent in November 2025. 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.

Latest stories

  1. Complaints soar 40% after cyber attack, housing leads Complaints to Kensington and Chelsea Council have soared by 40% in the last year, with housing issues leading the surge. The annual complaints report for 2025/26 reveals a total... Kensington and Chelsea 24 September 2026
  2. Hackney Council Launches Review into Mental Health Outcomes for Black Women Hackney Council's Health in Hackney Scrutiny Commission has launched a review into the mental health outcomes for Black women in the borough, prompted by concerns over existing... Hackney 11 July 2026
  3. Croydon Council to implement 'status on a page' for housing issue reporting Croydon Council is set to introduce a status on a page system to provide clearer, more concise updates on ongoing housing issues. Croydon 15 April 2026
  4. Redbridge Mental Health Services Face Funding and Workforce Shortages Amidst Rising Demand Redbridge's mental health services are facing significant hurdles, including funding gaps and a scarcity of skilled professionals, a recent Health and Care Policy Development... Redbridge 25 February 2026
  5. Kingston Council Forms Company to Tackle Housing Crisis by Purchasing 150 Homes Kingston Council is set to establish a wholly-owned company, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), to address the growing housing crisis and reduce reliance on expensive temporary... Kingston upon Thames 1 December 2025
  6. Sutton Council Considers Affordable Rent for Beech Tree Place Sutton Council is considering converting a block of shared ownership housing at Beech Tree Place into affordable rent in response to the growing housing crisis. Sutton 27 November 2025
  7. Harrow Council to Bid for Homes to Tackle Housing Crisis Harrow Council is urgently bidding to acquire 140 newly built homes within the borough to address the growing housing crisis and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation. Harrow 28 October 2025
  8. Controversial 12-Bedroom HMO Plan Faces Scrutiny Plans to convert a property in Croydon into a 12-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO) have faced scrutiny from local councillors, who raised concerns about overcrowding,... Croydon 15 August 2025