Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Gov.UK Housing. Read the original article for full details.

Vagrancy Act Repealed: Rough Sleeping No Longer a Crime in England

The government will repeal the Vagrancy Act on 29 June 2026, ending nearly two centuries of legislation that criminalised rough sleeping and begging. The Act, introduced in 1824, has been found to punish people for not having a home and has made it harder for vulnerable individuals to access support.

The repeal is part of the National Plan to End Homelessness, which aims to shift the focus from punishment to prevention and long-term solutions. The plan is backed by £3.6 billion over the next three years and aims to halve long-term rough sleeping and end the unlawful use of B&Bs for families by the end of the current Parliament.

The government is also investing £39 billion over the next ten years in social and affordable housing, described as the largest long-term investment in a generation. According to the press release, social and affordable housing starts are up 35% since 2024, with completions rising again this year.

A £159 million grant for supported housing is helping over 2,500 people across England move off the streets and into more stable accommodation. The National Plan to End Homelessness also sets targets to halve the number of people who become homeless on their first night out of prison and to ensure that no eligible person is discharged to the street after a hospital stay. The plan includes a long-term ambition that no one should be made homeless from a public institution.

The upcoming Social Housing Bill will strengthen protections for victims of domestic abuse in social housing, aiming to prevent homelessness. Research cited in the press release notes that nearly 70% of women experiencing rough sleeping in 2025 had experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16.

Existing powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 remain in place to address antisocial behaviour where it causes harassment or distress, but not for simply being homeless. Statutory guidance will be updated to ensure these powers are used appropriately.

Letting agents and inventory clerks should be aware of these legislative changes and the increased focus on prevention and support for vulnerable individuals, as well as the ongoing investment in social and affordable housing.