Repeal of Vagrancy Act hailed as watershed moment

The government has announced that the Vagrancy Act will be repealed from today.

The Vagrancy Act 1824 is a nearly 200-year-old law that makes it a criminal offence to sleep rough or beg in England and Wales.

The government say repealing the Act is a vital step towards ending a system that has failed to address the root causes of rough sleeping.

Homeless people are not criminals

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “Homeless people are not criminals, they are people who need help.

“By repealing the outdated Vagrancy Act, we are shifting from punishment to prevention, alongside our investment to tackle homelessness for good .”

Homelessness minister Alison McGovern adds: “Repealing the Vagrancy Act is a long-overdue step that reflects a modern understanding of homelessness.

“We are turning our backs on a centuries-old approach and instead focusing our attention on what works through providing support, preventing homelessness, and helping people rebuild their lives.

“Our Plan to End Homelessness will drive that change, helping more people off the streets and into the security of a permanent home.”

This is a watershed moment

Homelessness charities have also welcomed the repeal of the act.

Chief executive of Crisis Matt Downie said: “This is a watershed moment which marks the end of a deeply cruel policy of criminalising people because they are homeless.

“For more than 200 years, the Vagrancy Act has punished people who have been forced to sleep on the streets. This has pushed people in already vulnerable situations away from support services and into the shadows for fear of being penalised.

“Now, after decades of charities campaigning alongside politicians, law enforcement and people with lived experience of homelessness, we can come together to celebrate the end of this archaic law.

“We commend the government for standing up for what’s right and getting rid of a great injustice. We hope this sends a powerful message about the kind of society we want: one where people experiencing homelessness are not persecuted but supported to rebuild their lives and fulfil their potential.”

CEO of Homeless Link, Rick Henderson said: “This is truly a landmark moment that will change the lives of the many people at risk of being criminalised simply for seeking somewhere safe to sleep. That this archaic law is finally being repealed is a credit to all those who have long campaigned for its removal, and to the leadership shown by this Government in finally scrapping the Act.

“Rough sleeping should never be a crime. It is a result of people being let down by the systems intended to support them.

“We hope that the repeal of the Vagrancy Act shows the Government’s ambition and intent to move away from a punitive, crisis led response towards one rooted in prevention, cross government responsibility and targeted support ensuring that everyone has a place to call home and the support they need to keep it.”

Tackle root causes of homelessness

The government adds repealing the Vagrancy Act is part of a wider effort to tackle the root causes of homelessness.

In a press release, the government claims Section 21 evictions pushed thousands of renters into homelessness.

However, as previously reported by Property118, government data reveals the number of households at risk of becoming homeless is not just down to Section 21 evictions, but also a rise in households leaving Home Office asylum support accommodation.