The government claims the former Section 21 possession powers resting with landlords “pushed thousands into homelessness”.
The claim comes in a statement about the repeal of the Vagrancy Act today.
This ends nearly two centuries of legislation that has criminalised rough sleeping and begging.
Labour says the Act pushed vulnerable people away from support, increased the risk of fines or criminal records and made it harder for people to rebuild their lives.
The statement says: “Repealing the Act is a vital step in ending a system that has failed to address the causes of rough sleeping and in shifting the focus towards prevention, support and long-term solutions.”
It includes the Renters Rights Act in a series of measures taken by the government which it says will eventually “end homelessness for good.”
Specifically it states: ”Abolishing Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions through the Renters’ Rights Act – a practice that has pushed thousands of renters into homelessness.”
The government says it has a ‘National Plan to End Homelessness’ rewiring the system to focus support where it’s needed most.
This includes:
- A £159 million grant for supported housing is getting over 2,500 people across England off the streets and into more stable housing, as well as preventing those from getting onto the streets in the first place;
- Setting clear targets for halving the number who become homeless on their first night out of prison and that no eligible person is discharged to the street after a hospital stay;
- It also sets a clear long-term ambition that no one should be made homeless from a public institution.
Homelessness minister Alison McGovern says: “Repealing the Vagrancy Act is a long-overdue step that reflects a modern understanding of homelessness.
“We are turning our backs on a centuries old approach and instead focusing our attention on what works through providing support, preventing homelessness, and helping people rebuild their lives.
“Our Plan to End Homelessness will drive that change, helping more people off the streets and into the security of a permanent home.”
