Housing Need
Southwark Council reformed its Housing Allocations Scheme to prioritise housing need, as Brent Council faces homelessness pressures.
Southwark Council approved an overhaul of its Housing Allocations Scheme in September 2026, removing working in the borough as an automatic qualification criterion to focus prioritisation solely on housing need. Separately, Haringey Council approved a contract in September 2026 for the construction of nine new council homes to provide family-sized social housing.
Brent Council's Cabinet noted a projected £18.3 million overspend for 2025-26, primarily driven by pressures in homelessness services, in July 2026. The Brent Safeguarding Adults Board also included housing need as a focus in its strategic plan for 2024-2026, approved in March 2026, to protect adults with complex needs.
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Key facts
- Southwark Council approved an overhaul of its Housing Allocations Scheme in September 2026. Source
- The Southwark scheme removes working in the borough as an automatic qualification criterion for housing applications. Source
- Brent Council projects an £18.3 million overspend for 2025-26 due to homelessness pressures. Source
- The Brent Safeguarding Adults Board's strategic plan for 2024-2026 includes housing need as a focus. Source 1 Source 2
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.