Repealing the Vagrancy Act restores dignity

England and Wales have repealed the 202-year-old Vagrancy Act, ending the use of an outdated law to criminalise people simply for sleeping rough. The change recognises that homelessness should be addressed through housing and support, rather than fines, arrests or moving people elsewhere.

Crisis research involving 458 people who had recently slept rough shows why the previous approach failed. In their most recent enforcement experience, 81% received no support or advice, while 34% simply changed where they slept. Only 6% accessed accommodation afterwards.

The findings suggest the first response matters. Enforcement can displace homelessness and deepen shame. What's needed is proper accommodation and personalised support that give someone a reason to engage and allow outreach workers to build trust.

But repeal is not resolution. England recorded 4,793 people sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2025, and there is no evidence yet showing how repeal will affect this. Decriminalisation restores dignity—but it will become a genuine solution only when people are offered somewhere safe and permanent to live.