Vagrancy Act Repealed, Rough Sleeping No Longer a Criminal Offence

The Vagrancy Act 1824 is repealed today, 29 June 2026 ending nearly two centuries of legislation that made rough sleeping and begging criminal offences in England and Wales. The government announced the repeal on 28 June, with Housing Secretary Steve Reed saying the change signals a shift "from punishment to prevention."

The Act was introduced in 1824 in the wake of the Napoleonic Wars, when rising numbers of veterans and displaced workers were sleeping on the streets. Though its use had fallen sharply in recent decades, it was still sometimes invoked to move people on from public spaces rather than connect them with housing or support services.

Homelessness charities had campaigned for the repeal for years. The Act was criticised for pushing vulnerable people away from support, increasing the risk of fines or criminal records, and making it harder for people to access housing or employment. Matt Downie, CEO of Crisis, described it as "a deeply cruel policy of criminalising people because they are homeless," saying it had "pushed people in already vulnerable situations away from support services and into the shadows."

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 By repealing the outdated Vagrancy Act, we are shifting from punishment to prevention, alongside our investment to tackle homelessness for good."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 said the repeal was "a long overdue step that reflects a modern understanding of homelessness," adding that the government would focus on "what works through providing support, preventing homelessness, and helping people rebuild their lives."

The repeal does not remove all enforcement powers in public spaces. Existing powers under the Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 remain available where behaviour causes harassment, alarm, or distress but not, the government has made clear, for the act of sleeping rough alone. Statutory guidance will be updated to reinforce this distinction.

For organised criminal activity, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduces new offences specifically targeting organised begging gangs, those who exploit others for financial gain through begging, and trespass linked to criminal activity.

The repeal is framed as part of the government's National Plan to End Homelessness. The plan sets two specific parliamentary term targets, to halve the number of people becoming homeless on their first night out of prison, and to end the unlawful use of bed and breakfast accommodation for families.

The plan is backed by £3.6 billion over three years and runs alongside a £39 billion investment in social and affordable housing over ten years described by the government as the largest such programme in a generation. Affordable housing starts by Homes England and the GLA reached 42,499 in 2025-26, up 35% compared to 2023-24.

The government has also set a target of halving violence against women and girls within a decade, with homelessness prevention cited as a key element. Research from the Rough Sleeping Questionnaire 2025 found that nearly 70% of women experiencing rough sleeping in the past year had experienced domestic abuse since age 16. The upcoming Social Housing Bill will strengthen protections for survivors of domestic abuse in social housing.

For those who see someone sleeping rough and in need of support, the Streetlink alert system allows members of the public to notify their local authority directly.