New plans to prevent homelessness

More Brent residents at risk of homelessness will get support sooner under a new council action plan to help people keep a safe and secure home.

Brent’s cabinet has approved the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan, which sets clear targets for stepping in earlier when people are at risk of losing their homes, improving the quality and affordability of temporary accommodation, and strengthening support for residents in need.

The new plan aims to prevent homelessness for 1,220 households over the next 12 months – 260 more than the 960 households it currently helps each year.

An additional £8 million has been allocated in the council’s 2026/27 budget to meet continued high demand for housing support and temporary accommodation.

Councillor Robert Johnson, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters, said: “Homelessness is not inevitable. Too often, there are opportunities to step in sooner and prevent a family losing their home or someone ending up on the street.

“This plan turns that ambition into practical action, with clear targets and responsibilities. By working with our partners, we can help more residents keep their homes, reduce rough sleeping and help people move off the streets.”

The council will explore using a digital tool to bring together information from across its services and identify households at immediate risk of homelessness, enabling it to offer support sooner. It is also developing a system to alert GPs and schools when families move into temporary accommodation, helping essential services respond quickly and minimise disruption to children and families.

No family is currently staying in bed and breakfast or shared accommodation for more than six weeks, and Brent is committed to maintaining this position. Every new temporary accommodation property will be inspected before anyone moves in. Families who have spent longer in temporary accommodation will receive targeted support and regular reviews to help them find a suitable home.

A new cross-council Preventing Homelessness Delivery Group will test new approaches, learn what works and expand successful initiatives. Neighbourhood teams will also bring together the council, NHS, Crisis and community organisations to identify people at risk earlier and connect them with support.

Frontline staff will do more to identify residents who are entitled to benefits but are not claiming them, helping people access the financial support available to them.

The action plan will be closely monitored and will support the council’s wider work to build more council homes, secure suitable temporary accommodation and increase the supply of affordable housing for families.