Lewisham Council plans to buy 74 more homes for local homeless families
The purchases will be part-funded by the government and are additional to 47 already acquired (or in the final stages of acquisition) under the same programme and 68 under a previous programme – bringing the total to 189.
The majority will be properties previously sold through Right to Buy, returning them to Council management.
The proposals, approved by Lewisham’s Mayor and Cabinet on Wednesday 1 July 2026, use funding from the government’s Local Authority Housing Fund Round 4 (LAHF4), alongside General Fund borrowing, to increase the number of council-owned homes available in the borough.
LAHF4 is a £950 million government programme (administered by MHCLG) supporting councils to increase the supply of good-quality temporary accommodation and provide homes for some families arriving through the Afghan Resettlement Programme. The Council has already committed to 47 acquisitions under earlier years of the same funding programme. The additional 74 homes bring the total number of homes supported through LAHF4 to up to 121. The Council also previously acquired 68 homes under LAHF3.
Of the 74 properties we plan to acquire, 65 will be used as temporary accommodation for homeless households and 9 will support refugee resettlement, reflecting Lewisham’s commitments as a Borough of Sanctuary.
The decision reflects the continued pressure on temporary accommodation in Lewisham. As of 1 December 2025, the Council was providing temporary accommodation to 2,450 households. Acquiring homes in the borough will help reduce reliance on expensive nightly paid accommodation, provide more stable housing for families, and allow residents to stay close to schools, work, health services and support networks.
The current grant allocation is for 2028/29 and 2029/30, but we will continue discussions with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to seek opportunities to draw down funding earlier where possible.
The homes will be acquired from the open market and refurbished before being let, and we invite current leaseholders who are interested in selling to approach us directly. All properties will be family-sized and self-contained, with officers focusing on securing the largest homes possible within the available budget. We will also assess homes for potential energy efficiency improvements, including better insulation, efficient heating systems and improved glazing where appropriate.
Mayor and Cabinet approved the acceptance of LAHF4 funding for the 74 homes, alongside the supporting General Fund borrowing.
Cllr Daniel Dream, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Regeneration, Planning and Housing Delivery, said: “London’s housing crisis is placing huge pressure on families and councils, and we are determined to do everything we can to provide safe, secure and affordable homes for people who need them most. Alongside building new homes, these proposals allow us to acquire 74 more properties in Lewisham, reduce our reliance on costly nightly paid accommodation, and give families the chance to remain close to their schools, jobs, health services and support networks. They also reflect our values as a Borough of Sanctuary by supporting refugee families to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.”