Issue

Temporary Accommodation

115 stories · discussed at 64 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are grappling with significant financial pressures from temporary accommodation while developing strategies to increase supply and reduce reliance.

Several councils are reporting significant financial pressures from temporary accommodation. Brent Council anticipates £38 million expenditure on nightly paid accommodation, forecasting a £9.5 million overspend in the first quarter of 2026-27. Hammersmith and Fulham Council faces a projected £14.3 million overspend for 2026/27, partly due to temporary accommodation, while Redbridge Council forecasts an £8.485 million overspend with pressures in this area. Lewisham Council plans to spend £135 million over three years.

In response, councils are developing strategies to reduce reliance and increase supply. Havering Council's 2026-2029 strategy aims for £11-12 million annual savings by reducing expensive temporary accommodation. Croydon Council plans 1,000 new homes to tackle homelessness and reduce temporary accommodation reliance, submitting a bid to the GLA in September 2026. Waltham Forest Council granted permission in September 2026 for 14 new temporary accommodation units.

Hackney Council's Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Supply Transformation Programme, with £145 million allocated for 2026/27, faces challenges, including a 29% decrease in homelessness prevention outcomes since 2025/26. Temporary accommodation is housing provided for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, typically on a short-term basis. Waltham Forest Council's Shareholder Committee is scheduled to discuss the topic on 6 October 2026.

Key facts

  1. Brent Council anticipates £38 million expenditure on nightly paid temporary accommodation, forecasting a £9.5 million overspend in Q1 2026-27. Source
  2. Hammersmith and Fulham Council faces a projected £14.3 million overspend for 2026/27, attributed partly to temporary accommodation. Source
  3. Lewisham Council is set to spend £135 million on temporary accommodation over the next three years. Source
  4. Havering Council's new strategy aims for £11-12 million annual savings by reducing reliance on temporary accommodation. Source
  5. Croydon Council plans to build 1,000 new homes to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation. 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.

Stories, page 8

  1. Tower Hamlets Council Faces £18.6m Budget Overspend Driven by Social Care Demand Tower Hamlets Council is facing a projected budget overspend of £18.6 million for the financial year 2025-26, according to a report presented to the Overview & Scrutiny... Tower Hamlets 25 March 2026
  2. Lambeth Aims for 10,000 New Homes, Focus on Social Rent Lambeth Council has set an ambitious target to deliver at least 10,000 new homes over the next decade, with a significant focus on increasing the supply of social rent... Lambeth 25 March 2026
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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