Worthing and Adur councils face £2.3m homelessness cost overspend

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 29 Oct, 17:40 · Archive

Adur and Worthing councils expect homelessness and temporary accommodation to cost £2.3m more than budgeted in 2026-27.

Homelessness and temporary accommodation is expected to cost Adur and Worthing councils in West Sussex £2.3m more than budgeted for 2026-27. Worthing Borough Council projects an overspend of £1.5m and Adur District Council £760,000, with both identifying homelessness as a major financial pressure on their services.

The budget monitoring figures will be discussed by the councils' joint overview and scrutiny committee on 4 November. Councillors have questioned when the overspending can be reduced and how this might be achieved, according to a report set to be presented to the committee.

The broader financial picture for the councils shows different positions. In 2025-26, Worthing Borough Council overspent by about £3.8m across all services, whilst Adur District Council spent £385,000 less than budgeted. Worthing benefited from an estimated £4.8m in exceptional government funding. For 2026-27, Worthing is expected to use £3.7m of this support, whilst Adur is expected to have an overall underspend of £1.9m.

The councils' finance working group is continuing to examine spending and prepare plans for next year's budget. Councillors have also asked officers about the possible impact of changes to renters' rights legislation and additional government funding announced for rough sleeping support.

Worthing and Adur councils face £2.3m homelessness cost overspend — Image: BBC Sussex

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How it is being reported

Councils forecast £2.3m homelessness overspendAn Adur and Worthing Councils report identifies homelessness as a major pressure on its finances.BBC Sussex · 29 Oct, 17:15
Thousands across Worthing and Adur to benefit from £100 energy paymentAlmost 70,000 properties in Adur and Worthing could benefit from a new £100 household energy payment announced by Chancellor John Healey.Chichester Observer · 29 Oct, 14:18
Cost of homelessness in Worthing and Adur to be discussedHomelessness and temporary accommodation are expected to cost Adur and Worthing councils £2.26million more than budgeted this financial year.Chichester Observer · 28 Oct, 15:56

In this story: Worthing Borough Council · Adur District Council · Worthing · Adur · West Sussex

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