Major Change for Rough Sleepers Across Newcastle and the UK

People sleeping rough will no longer face criminal prosecution after the UK Government officially repealed the Vagrancy Act, bringing an end to legislation that had remained in place for more than 200 years.

The repeal, which comes into force today (Monday 29 June, 2026), marks one of the biggest changes to homelessness policy in generations. Ministers say the move will help shift the focus away from punishing vulnerable people and instead direct attention towards preventing homelessness, improving access to support services and increasing the supply of affordable housing.

The change is expected to have significance across the country, including in Newcastle, where local charities, outreach teams and support organisations continue working to reduce rough sleeping despite increasing pressure from the cost of living crisis and housing shortages.

Why The Vagrancy Act Has Been Repealed.

Introduced in 1824 following the Napoleonic Wars and the Industrial Revolution, the Vagrancy Act made it possible for people to be prosecuted simply for sleeping rough or begging.

Although the legislation has been used far less frequently in recent years, homelessness charities have argued for decades that its existence discouraged vulnerable people from seeking help. Many feared being moved on, fined or gaining a criminal record at a time when they most needed support.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said homelessness should never be treated as a criminal offence, adding that people without a home need practical help rather than punishment. Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern also described the repeal as a long overdue step towards a modern approach that focuses on prevention and long-term solutions.

The Government says existing laws remain available to deal with anti-social behaviour, harassment and organised criminal activity, meaning police will still have powers to tackle offences where appropriate.

What It Means For Newcastle.

The announcement could have particular relevance in Newcastle, where organisations including Changing Lives, Crisis Skylight Newcastle and local council services work throughout the year to support people experiencing homelessness.

Like many major UK cities, Newcastle has faced rising demand for emergency accommodation alongside increasing housing costs. Outreach teams regularly encourage residents to report anyone sleeping rough through the StreetLink service so support workers can make contact as quickly as possible.

Recent warm weather has also prompted renewed appeals for the public to remain vigilant, with charities warning that extreme temperatures can be just as dangerous for people sleeping outside as freezing winter conditions.

Residents who see someone sleeping rough in Newcastle can alert StreetLink, allowing trained outreach teams to locate the individual and offer accommodation, healthcare or specialist support where available.

Government Plans To Reduce Homelessness.

The repeal forms part of the Government's wider National Plan to End Homelessness.

Backed by £3.6 billion over the next three years, the strategy aims to halve long-term rough sleeping before the end of Parliament while reducing homelessness across England.

Alongside this investment, ministers have committed £39 billion over the next decade towards social and affordable housing, described as the biggest long-term investment in a generation.

The Government also confirmed that affordable housing starts reached 42,499 during 2025-26. That represents a 35 percent increase compared with 2023-24. Affordable housing completions also rose to 43,104 during the same period, while almost 118,000 homes have now started under the Affordable Homes Programme.

Additional funding includes £159 million for supported housing, £37 million for community homelessness services and £15 million to help areas experiencing the highest levels of long-term rough sleeping develop new approaches.

The Statistics Behind Rough Sleeping.

Latest Government rough sleeping figures estimated that 4,667 people were sleeping rough across England on a single autumn night in 2024. While this represented an increase compared with previous years, charities stress that the real number of people experiencing homelessness over an entire year is significantly higher.

Separate research published through the Rough Sleeping Questionnaire 2025 found that nearly 70 percent of women experiencing rough sleeping had experienced domestic abuse since the age of 16, highlighting the complex causes behind homelessness.

According to Crisis, thousands of people become homeless every year because of issues including relationship breakdowns, financial hardship, poor mental health, domestic abuse and a shortage of affordable homes.

These figures underline why many homelessness organisations believe long-term investment in prevention is more effective than criminal enforcement.

Charities Welcome A Landmark Decision.

Leading homelessness charities have welcomed the repeal, describing it as a historic moment.

Crisis Chief Executive Matt Downie called the decision a watershed moment after years of campaigning, saying people should never be criminalised simply because they have nowhere safe to sleep.

St Mungo's said the repeal represents an important shift towards rebuilding lives rather than reinforcing stigma, while Housing Justice and Homeless Link both praised the Government for replacing an outdated legal approach with one centred on prevention, housing and support.

Many charities also stressed that repealing the law alone will not solve homelessness. They say continued investment in affordable housing, mental health services, addiction support and early intervention will determine whether rough sleeping falls in the years ahead.

A New Chapter For Homelessness Policy.

The repeal of the Vagrancy Act closes one of the oldest chapters in British law while opening another focused on tackling the reasons people become homeless in the first place.

For cities including Newcastle, the change offers an opportunity for councils, charities and residents to work together in helping vulnerable people access support instead of facing criminal sanctions. Whether the reforms deliver lasting improvements will depend on continued investment, housing supply and the success of prevention programmes already being rolled out across England.

Share your views below.

What do you think this change could mean for Newcastle and the North East?