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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 9

  1. Lambeth Council Reaffirms 10,000 New Homes Target with 40% Affordable Homes Goal Lambeth Council has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering at least 10,000 new homes over the next decade, with a significant focus on ensuring 40% of these are genuinely... Lambeth 25 March 2026
  2. Lambeth Council Approves Ambitious New Homes Programme Lambeth Council has approved an ambitious New Homes Programme, aiming to deliver at least 10,000 new homes over the next decade, with a target of 40% being genuinely affordable.... Lambeth 25 March 2026
  3. Hillingdon Council Approves New Strategy to Combat Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Hillingdon Council has approved a new strategy aimed at tackling homelessness and rough sleeping across the borough, with a significant focus on prevention and increasing... Hillingdon 23 March 2026
  4. Haringey Council to Appoint Poverty Commissioner to Tackle Borough's Inequality Haringey Council is set to appoint a Poverty Commissioner to lead efforts in tackling poverty and inequality within the borough. The decision was made during a Full Council... Haringey 20 March 2026
  5. Islington Council's Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee reviews homelessness prevention and temporary accommodation Islington Council's Homes and Communities Scrutiny Committee has reviewed the council's performance in tackling homelessness, focusing on homelessness prevention and temporary... Islington 19 March 2026
  6. Homelessness risk and temporary accommodation costs debated Tower Hamlets Council's Audit Committee has debated significant concerns regarding the risk of homelessness and the escalating costs associated with temporary accommodation. Tower Hamlets 15 March 2026
  7. Renters' Rights Act impact on Merton housing debated, potential reduction in rental properties feared Merton Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee has discussed the anticipated impact of the Renters' Rights Act on the borough's housing situation, with particular concern over... Merton 15 March 2026
  8. Merton Council faces £7m temporary accommodation overspend Merton Council is grappling with a significant financial challenge, projecting an overspend of nearly £7 million on temporary accommodation for the 2024/25 financial year. This... Merton 15 March 2026