Our Policy and Best Practice Manager, James Ingram, said: “We were pleased to see that housing and homelessness were made a priority in the King’s Speech yesterday. The Crime and Policing Bill – committed to in the King’s Speech – provides the opportunity to repeal the centuries old legislation of the Vagrancy Act. People experiencing homelessness deserve support, not criminalisation. This is a positive sign of a new government appearing to recognise and underpin the dignity of people who find themselves experiencing homelessness.
One further welcome proposal is The Renters’ Rights Bill, which if passed, would see an end to ‘no fault’ evictions. No one in a civilised society should be uprooted, and forced to move their lives like millions have had to do in the way permitted under current laws.
Through our Vicar’s Relief Fund, we will continue to support thousands of people each year – in accessing suitable accommodation, and through emergency grants to prevent eviction through other means.
We are looking forward to continued and closer work with the government in ensuring everyone has a safe place to call home, and basing future policy and legislation on the expertise of frontline workers who support millions of people across the four nations day-in, and day-out.”
