Key Points
- Families in temporary accommodation have accused Lambeth Council in south London of conducting “intimidating” unannounced home visits, leaving residents fearing eviction.
- Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth (HASL) reported unannounced visits from Lambeth Council’s housing officers to some families, while others received unexpected emails about relocation far outside London.
- HASL claimed the council’s cost-cutting efforts to reduce temporary accommodation expenses have fostered a “confusing and stressful” environment for vulnerable households.
- Lambeth Council stated it has a legal duty to inspect housing conditions in temporary accommodation and assist families in securing long-term, stable homes.
- In November, the council announced that most homeless households must be relocated outside the borough, often beyond the south east of England, due to insufficient local suitable accommodation.
- This policy shift followed a major review of the council’s Placement Policy, unchanged for over a decade.
- Temporary accommodation costs in Lambeth have surged to over £100m annually, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
- The council faces pressure to achieve £183m in savings over four years, having identified £99m so far, with £84m remaining before March 2026.
- The number of homeless households supported by Lambeth Council has risen by approximately 50% in the past two years, now exceeding 4,600 households nightly in temporary accommodation.
- One HASL member resident, who has been with the group for three years, reported being told to vacate temporary accommodation and secure private rented sector housing within 56 days, causing significant stress.
- Another resident described “intimidating” visits from housing officers and credited HASL activist Elizabeth Wyatt for alleviating her fears, noting her eight-and-a-half years of bidding for housing.
- The resident questioned the logic of relocating her family outside London, citing the council’s explanation of high local costs.
Lambeth (BBC News) January 17, 2026 – Families housed in temporary accommodation by Lambeth Council have accused the authority of intimidation through unannounced home visits and sudden relocation notices, heightening fears of eviction amid a spiralling homelessness crisis. Housing campaigners from Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth (HASL) highlighted these practices as part of broader cost-saving measures that have plunged residents into distress. The council defends its actions as necessary inspections and support for permanent housing solutions.
What Sparked the Accusations Against Lambeth Council?
Housing Action Southwark and Lambeth (HASL) first raised the alarm over unannounced visits by Lambeth Council’s housing officers to families in temporary accommodation. These surprise inspections, according to HASL, have instilled widespread fear of eviction among vulnerable households. Campaigners also noted unexpected emails notifying residents of potential moves far beyond London, exacerbating uncertainty.
One anonymous resident, a HASL member for three years, recounted receiving a directive to leave her temporary home and enter the private rented sector. She described the 56-day deadline as leaving her family “stressed and under pressure”. This personal testimony underscores the human toll of the council’s approach.
Lambeth Council countered that such visits fulfil a statutory duty to assess housing conditions and aid transitions to stable, long-term homes. The authority emphasised its obligations under housing legislation, positioning the measures as supportive rather than punitive.
Why Is Lambeth Council Relocating Homeless Families Outside London?
In November, Lambeth Council announced a pivotal policy change: most homeless households would be placed outside the borough, frequently extending beyond the south east of England. This decision stemmed from a comprehensive review of its Placement Policy, which had remained largely static for more than a decade. The review, detailed on the council’s official housing strategies page, aimed to address acute shortages of suitable local accommodation.
The policy shift reflects broader pressures on local authorities nationwide. Lambeth’s temporary accommodation costs have ballooned to more than £100m per year, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) via BBC coverage. With over 4,600 households requiring nightly temporary housing—a 50% increase in two years—the financial strain is immense.
Council documents outline the necessity of out-of-borough placements due to limited availability and escalating expenses in central London. Residents like the HASL member who has bid for housing for eight-and-a-half years question the fairness, asking:
“What is the point in taking me from here to somewhere outside of London?”
How Severe Is Lambeth’s Homelessness and Budget Crisis?
The scale of Lambeth’s challenge is stark. The council supports more than 4,600 homeless households in temporary accommodation each night, a figure that has surged by about 50% over the past two years. This escalation coincides with national trends in housing insecurity, but Lambeth’s situation is particularly acute given its urban density.
Financially, the authority grapples with temporary accommodation expenditure exceeding £100m annually, per LDRS reporting integrated into BBC News articles. To balance the books, Lambeth must identify £183m in savings across four years. It has secured £99m thus far, leaving £84m to find before the March 2026 deadline.
HASL argues these pressures have led to aggressive tactics, creating a “confusing and stressful” atmosphere. One affected resident directly attributed her reduced anxiety to HASL’s Elizabeth Wyatt, stating:
“If Elizabeth Wyatt from HASL was not with me, I would be really, really scared, I don’t know the law, I don’t know anything but because of Liz and the group I don’t feel scared like before.”
What Do Residents Say About the ‘Intimidating’ Visits?
Personal accounts paint a vivid picture of distress. The resident who endured the visits remarked on their chilling effect: “I think that’s what they want to do with us.” She relayed a conversation with council representatives, who explained:
“I asked the council why would you want to do that? They told me it’s very expensive here, it’s very expensive in London.”
Elizabeth Wyatt’s role emerges as crucial, with the resident crediting her and HASL for empowerment amid power imbalances. These unannounced checks, HASL contends, prioritise cost reduction over resident welfare.
No specific journalist byline appears in the primary BBC article (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy48k0e185xo), but the reporting draws on LDRS contributions for cost data. HASL’s platform amplifies these voices, positioning them against the council’s narrative of dutiful oversight.
What Is the Council’s Official Stance?
Lambeth Council maintains that home visits are mandated to inspect conditions and facilitate permanent housing pathways. The authority’s statement underscores a commitment to compliance with legal duties, framing interventions as proactive support.
The November announcement followed rigorous policy review, targeting unsustainable local placements. Council spokespeople have linked high costs directly to London’s prohibitive market rates, justifying distant relocations.
Despite HASL’s criticisms, the council has not publicly detailed individual visit protocols or response to intimidation claims in available coverage. Savings imperatives loom large, with the £84m gap intensifying scrutiny on all housing decisions.
What Broader Context Fuels This Dispute?
Lambeth’s plight mirrors national housing woes, where temporary accommodation burdens councils amid rising demand. The Placement Policy review signals a strategic pivot, but implementation has ignited controversy.
HASL’s advocacy highlights systemic flaws, from bidding backlogs to relocation trauma. Residents’ statements reveal deep mistrust, with one noting the council’s cost rationale:
“It’s very expensive here, it’s very expensive in London.”
As savings deadlines approach, the standoff persists. Lambeth’s £100m-plus annual spend, per LDRS/BBC data, underscores urgency, yet campaigners demand empathy alongside efficiency. No further media titles beyond BBC and LDRS appear in sourced coverage, but the story’s resonance in south London amplifies calls for resolution.
This dispute encapsulates tensions between fiscal reality and human need, with families caught in the crossfire. Lambeth Council’s actions, while defended as obligatory, face mounting accusations of overreach.
