Issue

Homelessness

154 stories · discussed at 235 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are focusing on new strategies, increasing housing supply, and managing rising temporary accommodation costs to address homelessness.

Croydon Council approved a new strategy in September 2026 to tackle homelessness and boost housing supply, projecting £10 million in savings by 2030. Hammersmith and Fulham Council also unveiled its 2026-2031 Housing Strategy in September 2026, prioritising homelessness prevention. Southwark Council overhauled its Housing Allocations Scheme in September 2026 for fairer social housing distribution. Hackney Council's Housing and Homelessness Scrutiny Commission launched a review into private landlord licensing in September 2026, noting a 29% decrease in prevention success since 2025/26.

Several councils are addressing temporary accommodation challenges. Brent Council is facing escalating costs, with an anticipated £38 million expenditure on nightly paid accommodation and a forecast £9.5 million overspend in September 2026. Lewisham Council's Mayor and Cabinet approved spending £135 million on temporary accommodation over three years in September 2026. Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet approved an £18 million investment in September 2026 to convert four council-owned buildings into 60 temporary homes.

Croydon Council is set to build 1,000 new homes to tackle homelessness and has reduced void turnaround times by 55% since March 2023. Redbridge Council is developing a new Supported Housing Strategy, including short-term housing for those experiencing homelessness. Looking ahead, Tower Hamlets' Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee is scheduled to meet on 5 October 2026, and Waltham Forest's Shareholder Committee on 6 October 2026.

Key facts

  1. Croydon Council approved a new strategy in September 2026, projecting £10 million in savings by 2030. Source
  2. Brent Council is facing an anticipated £38 million expenditure on nightly paid accommodation. Source
  3. Lewisham Council approved spending £135 million on temporary accommodation over three years. Source
  4. Hackney Council experienced a 29% decrease in successful homelessness prevention outcomes since 2025/26. Source
  5. Waltham Forest Council approved an £18 million investment for 60 temporary homes. 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 18

  1. 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
  2. Southwark Council Reviews Financial Management Compliance Southwark Council's Audit, Governance and Standards Committee convened on Monday, 14 July 2025, to review the council's financial management and governance practices. The... Southwark 21 July 2025
  3. Waltham Forest Libraries to Become Community Support Hubs Waltham Forest libraries are set to become hubs for community support, offering a range of services to residents in a more accessible and integrated way. Through Waltham Forest... Waltham Forest 20 July 2025
  4. Westminster to Acquire Property for Temporary Accommodation Westminster City Council is set to purchase a newly constructed freehold building in the HA0 area to provide temporary accommodation for those in need, as part of a broader... Westminster 20 July 2025
  5. Newham Council approves temporary accommodation in Plaistow Newham Council has approved a planning application to convert a former office building in Plaistow into temporary accommodation for vulnerable individuals. The development,... Newham 20 July 2025
  6. Camden Seeks Public Input on Homelessness Strategy Camden Council is seeking public input on its draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030, which builds upon the previous strategy from 2019-2024. The strategy aims... Camden 20 July 2025
  7. Wandsworth Invests £10M+ in Homes to Reduce Temp Accommodation Use Wandsworth Council is set to invest over £10 million in acquiring new homes to reduce its reliance on temporary accommodation, particularly for larger families. The decision,... Wandsworth 17 July 2025
  8. Wandsworth Council to Lease 186 New Temporary Accommodation Units in Tooting Broadway Wandsworth Council is set to lease 186 new temporary accommodation units in the Tooting Broadway ward, a move aimed at providing stable housing for homeless families and... Wandsworth 17 July 2025