The additional cash is part of a wider £84million government funding package aimed at councils experiencing the greatest homelessness pressures, reports Marco Marcelline

Waltham Forest Council is receiving a £207,920 funding boost from the government to support homelessness and recovery services in the borough.

The additional funding, announced on Friday 10th October, is part of a wider £84million national package aimed at councils experiencing the greatest homelessness pressures.

The bulk of the money, £177,988, comes from the government’s ‘Supporting Children Experiencing Homelessness’ programme.

The government recommends that councils use this particular tranche of funding to help families afford food, school travel, and energy bills, as well as on school uniforms and laptops to help children’s education.

The remaining £29,932 will go towards helping implement evidence-based drug and alcohol treatment and support for people sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough, including those with co-occurring mental health needs.

The funding comes as the council’s temporary accommodation costs have spiralled in recent years, rising from £8.5m in 2019/20 to a record £22.9m in 2025/26. These costs account for 46% of the council’s total in-year overspend.

Deputy council leader Ahsan Khan said: “We welcome this much-needed extra support that will benefit those who approach us in need of help. Demand for temporary accommodation has increased by a staggering 80% in the last two years alone – this is putting a real strain on our budget.

“While this extra funding is good news, there is still much more that needs to be done to fix these deep-seated issues. The council continues to lobby the government for the funding we need to secure a fairer future for Waltham Forest residents.”

The council has not yet stated exactly how the money will be spent, but local homelessness support organisations welcomed the cash boost.

Change Grow Live director Nicola Armitage told the Echo: “This funding will make a real difference to people in Waltham Forest who are experiencing homelessness and challenges with drug or alcohol use.

“Access to the right support at the right time can be a life-changing and vital first step towards stability and recovery. By strengthening local services, we can reach more people sooner and help them build the foundations for lasting change.”

The cash boost comes not long after a local charity withdrew its bid to transform North Chingford Methodist Church into a homeless shelter, following local opposition to the plan.

Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter (FCENS) had envisioned turning the church into a shelter with 14 bedrooms and a drop-in advice hub for the homeless.

However, resident fears around a potential for an increase in open drug use and antisocial behaviour in the area and a desire to return the church to community use killed off the idea.

FCENS has since renewed its search for a new homeless shelter in the borough while it continues to provide homelessness services at YMCA Walthamstow.

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