Homelessness Isn’t a Crime. It Never Should Have Been

The Vagrancy Act is Gone – Now Let’s Focus on Real Change

For 200 years, being homeless wasn’t just a struggle – it was a crime. The Vagrancy Act treated rough sleepers as criminals, ignoring the real reasons people end up without a home. Instead of support, they got punishment. But today, that outdated law is finally gone.

This isn’t just a legal change – it’s a shift in thinking. Homelessness isn’t a crime; it’s a crisis. People sleeping rough aren’t looking for trouble. They’re trying to survive. Scrapping this law means no one will be arrested simply for having nowhere to go, and that’s a long-overdue win.

The government is backing this up with nearly £1 billion in funding to tackle homelessness – but repealing a law doesn’t solve the issue overnight. We need real solutions: proper housing, mental health support, and a system that helps people before they hit crisis point.

There’s another reality we can’t ignore: homelessness isn’t just a local issue – it’s a global one. War, and economic struggles are forcing people from their homes in record numbers. Migration is rising, and if governments don’t act now, even more people will end up on the streets.

This repeal is proof that change is possible – but it’s only the start. Now, we need to make sure rough sleeping becomes a thing of the past, too.