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 6

  1. Tower Hamlets Council's £609 Million Housing Investment Plan Faces Scrutiny Over Financial Realism and Delivery Capacity Tower Hamlets Council's ambitious housing and regeneration plans, including a £609 million investment in council homes, are facing scrutiny over their financial realism and... Tower Hamlets 21 July 2026
  2. Redbridge Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy Faces Uncertainty Redbridge Council faces significant financial uncertainty, with projections indicating a substantial funding gap from the 2029/30 financial year onwards. Despite securing an... Redbridge 21 July 2026
  3. K&C Council faces £127m budget gap by 2031 Kensington and Chelsea Council faces a projected budget gap of £32.8 million in 2027/28, escalating to £127.2 million over the four-year period to 2030/31. The stark warning... Kensington and Chelsea 20 July 2026
  4. Haringey Council Approves New Contract to Expedite Council Home Repairs Haringey Council's Cabinet has approved a new contract aimed at speeding up repairs to council homes. Haringey 18 July 2026
  5. Westminster faces £161m budget gap by 2030 Westminster City Council faces a projected budget deficit of £161 million by 2030, a stark increase from previous forecasts, due to significant reductions in government funding... Westminster 17 July 2026
  6. Westminster City Council Reports £8.2m Overspend on Temporary Accommodation Westminster City Council has reported an £8.2 million overspend for the 2025/26 financial year, a figure primarily driven by escalating costs in temporary accommodation and... Westminster 17 July 2026
  7. Islington Council Invests £236m in Housing Amidst Supply Shortages Islington Council has invested £236 million in improving its housing stock, focusing on decent homes, fire safety, and damp and mould remediation. Despite this significant... Islington 16 July 2026
  8. K&C Council Faces £32.8m Budget Gap by 2027/28 Due to Funding Reforms and Service Pressures Kensington and Chelsea Council faces a projected budget gap of £32.8 million by the financial year 2027/28, with cumulative deficits expected to reach £127.2 million over the... Kensington and Chelsea 10 July 2026