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Temporary Accommodation

121 stories · discussed at 82 council meetings · 33 councils

Councils are focusing on increasing the supply of temporary accommodation and refining placement policies, while grappling with significant budget pressures from rising costs.

Tower Hamlets Council's Cabinet approved acquiring four commercial buildings in Marsh Wall to create 180 new temporary homes on 21 October 2026. Ealing Council's Cabinet approved a new policy to standardise placements of homeless households on 7 October 2026. Wandsworth Council's Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed implementing 10-year leases for temporary accommodation on 1 October 2026 to reduce costs and improve quality.

Several councils are reporting significant budget overspends partly due to temporary accommodation costs. Wandsworth Council projected a £5.3 million overspend for the current financial year, citing housing pressures, in October 2026. Hammersmith and Fulham Council faced a projected £14.3 million overspend for 2026/27, partly due to temporary accommodation, in September 2026. Havering Council aims for £11-12 million annual savings by reducing reliance on expensive temporary accommodation, presented in September 2026.

Hillingdon Council's Cabinet is scheduled to discuss this topic on 22 October 2026. Temporary accommodation refers to housing provided for individuals or families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Key facts

  1. Tower Hamlets Council's Cabinet approved acquiring properties for 180 new temporary homes on 21 October 2026. Source
  2. Ealing Council's Cabinet approved a new policy for homeless household placements on 7 October 2026. Source
  3. Wandsworth Council's Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee discussed implementing 10-year leases for temporary accommodation on 1 October 2026. Source
  4. Wandsworth Council projected a £5.3 million overspend for the current financial year, driven by housing pressures, in October 2026. Source
  5. Hammersmith and Fulham Council faced a projected £14.3 million overspend for 2026/27, partly due to temporary accommodation, in September 2026. 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 22 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 4

  1. Hackney tackles homelessness: £145m plan to boost housing Hackney Council is set to invest £145 million in a comprehensive plan to tackle homelessness and improve the supply of temporary accommodation. The initiative, part of the... Hackney 10 September 2026
  2. Renters' Rights Act hits Hackney: prevention success drops 29% Hackney Council has experienced a significant drop in its success rate for preventing homelessness, with a 29% decrease in successful prevention and relief outcomes reported in... Hackney 10 September 2026
  3. Havering Council questioned on government funding for rough sleeping accommodation Havering Council has been questioned on its strategy for securing adequate government funding to provide temporary accommodation and end rough sleeping. Havering 8 September 2026
  4. Islington Council Recovers £5.9 Million in Prevented Tenancy Fraud Losses Islington Council has recovered over £5.9 million in prevented fraud loss through its Housing Investigations Team (HIT) in the 2025-2026 financial year, the Homes and... Islington 2 September 2026
  5. Sutton Council to launch new social housing provider Sutton Council is set to establish a new not-for-profit social housing provider as part of its strategy to increase the supply of affordable homes in the borough. Sutton 15 August 2026
  6. Brent Council to explore housing's impact on health outcomes Brent Council's Health and Wellbeing Board is set to explore the profound impact of housing on the health outcomes of its residents. This commitment follows discussions at a... Brent 4 August 2026
  7. Croydon Council's Financial Strategy for Sustainability Croydon Council has approved a financial strategy for 2027-30 aimed at returning the borough to financial sustainability and ending its reliance on Exceptional Financial Support... Croydon 2 August 2026
  8. Richmond Council Adopts New Policy to Tackle Homelessness and Reduce Temporary Accommodation Costs Richmond upon Thames Council has unanimously adopted a new policy aimed at tackling homelessness and reducing the cost of temporary accommodation. Richmond upon Thames 1 August 2026