Health

Redbridge adopts controversial plan to relocate homeless residents outside London to cut costs and reduce waiting times

Saturday, 8 November 2025 5:07AM UTC

Redbridge Council's new strategy involves relocating homeless families beyond borough boundaries to address severe housing shortages and budget overspend, amid community concerns and ongoing development challenges.

Redbridge Council is adopting a strategy that includes relocating homeless residents beyond the borough boundaries, seeking to alleviate the intense pressure on temporary housing. This approach forms part of a newly published homelessness and rough sleeping strategy, which acknowledges the severe shortage of affordable and social housing within the borough. While a local consultation indicated that most residents prefer to remain in East London to stay close to schools and employment opportunities, the council contends that the current housing options are insufficient to meet demand.

The strategy outlines that expanding housing choices beyond London could reduce waiting times, which in Redbridge can extend beyond 20 years, and offer more affordable solutions, particularly for larger families. The council suggests that relocating residents to areas with lower demand allows them to access stable housing more quickly and thrive in fulfilling lives. This move is also intended to address the borough’s projected £23.5 million overspend in its housing budget, largely driven by the high costs associated with temporary accommodation such as expensive hotels and bed-and-breakfasts.

The scale of the housing challenge in Redbridge is substantial, with over 2,800 families currently in temporary housing and about 7,500 on the housing register. Many residents face long waits and uncertainty, as the council concedes that most people do not ultimately receive social housing despite significant need, including homelessness, medical conditions, or overcrowded living situations.

To mitigate these pressures, the council is prioritising early intervention to prevent homelessness. This includes identifying root causes such as financial instability or unemployment and providing tailored support with bills, benefits, employment, and alternative housing options. This preventive approach is deemed less stressful for residents and more cost-effective for the local authority.

Redbridge Council has set ambitious housing development targets, aiming to build 600 council homes by next year and acquire 800 rental properties by 2028. Progress is underway at sites like Luxford Lane, where 159 new homes are expected soon. However, the council admits it has struggled to meet its housing targets consistently and is currently behind schedule, having delivered only 14% of its 2024 quota, thereby falling short of London Plan requirements by over 1,100 homes. On a positive note, efforts to bring empty privately-owned homes back into use have seen 107 properties returned to the housing stock over the past year.

The council's housing cabinet member, Saima Ahmed, attributes some of the worsening housing crisis to the Covid-19 pandemic, citing delays in construction and leasing during social distancing measures. She also highlights that the ongoing cost of living crisis exacerbates the problem, with increasing numbers of Redbridge residents facing homelessness or the risk thereof.

Financially, Redbridge Council is navigating significant challenges. Despite the housing overspend, it has managed to approve balanced budgets in consecutive years, 2024/25 and 2025/26, prioritising key services. These budgets allocate substantial funds toward housing and homelessness support, with £50.2 million earmarked for housing services in 2025/26. Nevertheless, the pressures remain acute; a recent budgetary control report revealed a £15.3 million overspend in 2024/25, largely driven by the costs of temporary accommodation and social care demands.

To address financial sustainability, the council has recognised the need for efficiency and investment in permanent housing solutions to reduce reliance on costly temporary arrangements. It has sought additional government funding related to welfare reforms, which assists in mitigating some costs and improving service delivery.

Redbridge Council’s strategy reflects a balance of managing immediate housing crises through relocation and prevention, while simultaneously working towards increasing the availability of affordable and social homes within the borough. The challenge remains immense, with demographic pressures, funding constraints, and the legacy of pandemic-related delays complicating progress. The council’s ongoing efforts demonstrate a commitment to supporting vulnerable residents, though the scale of the housing shortage means that tough decisions, such as moving families outside London, are deemed necessary to ensure sustainable solutions.

📌 Reference Map:

^[1] (Yellow Advertiser) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
^[2] (Redbridge Council) - Paragraphs 10, 11
^[3] (Redbridge Council) - Paragraph 10
^[4] (Open Council Network) - Paragraph 11
^[5] (Redbridge Council) - Paragraph 4, 6
^[6] (Redbridge Council) - Paragraph 10
^[7] (UK Government) - Paragraph 11

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.yellowad.co.uk/redbridge-council-to-move-homeless-residents-out-of-london-to-reduce-cost-and-waiting-times/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/news/feb-2025/redbridge-delivers-budget-that-protects-and-invests-in-vital-services-for-the-people-of-the-borough/ - In February 2025, Redbridge Council approved a balanced budget for 2025/26, aiming to protect vital services despite financial challenges. The budget includes £8.1 million for new leisure centres, £6.1 million for street cleansing, £20.9 million for maintaining highways, £8.7 million for weekly bin collections, £12.3 million for supporting homeless people, £205.5 million for new temporary accommodation, and £37.8 million for new council homes. The council has faced significant funding cuts, losing over £160 million since 2010, making this balanced budget a notable achievement. ([redbridge.gov.uk](https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/news/feb-2025/redbridge-delivers-budget-that-protects-and-invests-in-vital-services-for-the-people-of-the-borough/?utm_source=openai))
https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/news/march-2024/redbridge-council-approves-a-balanced-budget-protecting-vital-services-despite-funding-challenges/ - In March 2024, Redbridge Council approved a balanced budget for 2024/25, prioritising services that matter most to local residents. The budget focuses on maintaining weekly bin collections, investing in street cleansing, and addressing the housing crisis by building and acquiring homes for social housing. Despite reduced government funding, the council has identified £250 million in efficiency savings since 2010, demonstrating responsible financial management. ([redbridge.gov.uk](https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/news/march-2024/redbridge-council-approves-a-balanced-budget-protecting-vital-services-despite-funding-challenges/?utm_source=openai))
https://opencouncil.network/meetings/70083 - In June 2025, Redbridge Council's Cabinet reviewed the Budgetary Control Report for 2024/25, revealing an overspend of £15.317 million. The overspend was primarily due to pressures in homelessness, particularly the high cost of temporary accommodation, and increased costs in Adult Social Care. The council is working to address these financial challenges and improve service delivery. ([opencouncil.network](https://opencouncil.network/meetings/70083?utm_source=openai))
https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/media/11807/housing-strategy-2023_final.pdf - Redbridge Council's Housing Strategy 2023-2028 outlines efforts to prevent homelessness by assisting households to remain in their current homes when suitable. When relocation is necessary, the council helps find affordable accommodation, even if it means moving outside the borough. The strategy also focuses on increasing the number of bed spaces for rough sleepers and reducing reliance on bed and breakfast accommodation. ([redbridge.gov.uk](https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/media/11807/housing-strategy-2023_final.pdf?utm_source=openai))
https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/council-tax/how-council-tax-works/how-your-council-tax-is-spent/ - Redbridge Council's budget allocation for 2025/26 includes £50.2 million for Housing services, reflecting the council's commitment to addressing housing needs and homelessness. The budget also allocates funds for other essential services, such as Children's Services (£454.1 million) and Adult Social Care Services (£146.7 million). The council continues to face financial challenges due to reduced government funding and increased demand for services. ([redbridge.gov.uk](https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/council-tax/how-council-tax-works/how-your-council-tax-is-spent/?utm_source=openai))
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-benefit-subsidy-circulars-2024/s42024-additional-new-burdens-funding-to-meet-the-costs-of-delivering-welfare-reform-changes-in-the-financial-year-ending-march-2025 - The UK government has allocated additional funding to local authorities, including Redbridge, to meet the costs of delivering welfare reform changes in the financial year ending March 2025. This funding aims to support councils in managing the financial pressures associated with implementing welfare reforms and providing essential services to residents. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/housing-benefit-subsidy-circulars-2024/s42024-additional-new-burdens-funding-to-meet-the-costs-of-delivering-welfare-reform-changes-in-the-financial-year-ending-march-2025?utm_source=openai))

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative was published on 7 November 2025. A similar report appeared on 14 August 2024, discussing Redbridge Council's 'Home Truths' campaign and the potential relocation of homeless residents due to rising rents. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/london-council-homeless-temporary-accommodation-rents-cost-redbridge-b1176403.html?utm_source=openai)) The earlier report does not mention the specific strategy of moving residents out of London, indicating that this is a new development. The 2025 report includes updated data, such as the projected £23.5 million overspend in the housing budget, suggesting a higher freshness score. However, the earlier report's mention of potential relocations to places like Scunthorpe indicates that the strategy may have been considered or discussed prior to the 2025 announcement. The 2025 report appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found between the two reports. The earlier report mentions a £52 million shortfall in the housing budget, which is higher than the £23.5 million projected in the 2025 report. This discrepancy may be due to different reporting periods or updated financial assessments. The 2025 report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The 2025 report includes a quote from housing cabinet member Saima Ahmed, attributing some of the worsening housing crisis to the Covid-19 pandemic. This quote appears to be original to the 2025 report, as no earlier matches were found. The earlier 2024 report does not include this specific quote, suggesting it is exclusive to the 2025 report.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from the Yellow Advertiser, a local news outlet. While it provides coverage of local issues, its reputation and reliability are not as well-established as larger, national news organisations. The report cites Redbridge Council's official website and other reputable sources, which strengthens its credibility. However, the reliance on a single, less-established outlet introduces some uncertainty.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative discusses Redbridge Council's strategy to relocate homeless residents out of London to alleviate pressure on temporary housing. This approach aligns with previous reports, such as the 2024 'Home Truths' campaign, which considered relocating residents due to rising rents. The inclusion of updated data, like the £23.5 million projected overspend in the housing budget, adds credibility. The report lacks specific factual anchors, such as names of relocation providers or detailed plans, which reduces the score and flags it as potentially synthetic. The language and tone are consistent with official council communications, suggesting authenticity.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents a plausible strategy by Redbridge Council to relocate homeless residents out of London to reduce housing pressures. While the 2025 report introduces new data and quotes, it relies on a less-established news outlet, which introduces some uncertainty. The lack of specific details and reliance on a single source warrant further verification.

Homelessness
Housing crisis
London boroughs