- Health secretary assures homeless won’t be criminalized in new law
- Proposed legislation faces backlash from charities and MPs
- Concerns raised about potential stigmatization and criminalization of homeless
The home secretary has received letters from over thirty charitable organizations warning that the new law “risks stigmatising people.” However, the health secretary maintains that the homeless will not be “criminalised.
The health secretary has reaffirmed that the government “will not criminalise” homelessness in the face of significant opposition to its proposed new legislation.
A new Criminal Justice Bill, which the government claims will target “nuisance begging” rather than the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act from 1824, which criminalizes homeless sleeping, is being considered by ministers as a replacement.
However, the proposed definition of a “nuisance” has generated considerable discontent among campaigners and Members of Parliament (MPs), with as many as forty Tories threatening to rebel against the idea. This is because it encompasses individuals sleeping in doorways, those emitting an “excessive odour,” and even those “appearing to be planning to sleep on the streets.”
In a letter to Home Secretary James Cleverly today, a coalition of 37 housing and homelessness charities caution that the proposed legislation “risks stigmatising people forced to sleep on the streets and discouraging them from seeking help.” Furthermore, the letter alleges that homeless women may be penalized for seeking safety in well-lit doorways.
Moreover, the inclusion of incarceration terms and penalties of up to £2,500 in the proposals could potentially render homeless individuals criminals.
Health Secretary Victoria Atkins responded that the government “wants to help the most vulnerable in society” and is investing £2.4 billion to eradicate rough sleeping.
She further stated, “We have been overtly explicit. Our intended targets are criminal organizations whose raison d’être is to intimidate individuals.
“We aim to prevent instances of aggressive begging, such as that which may occur in the vicinity of cash points.”
“However, we do not and will not criminalize individuals lacking housing.” Undoubtedly not. That is not the subject matter of this measure.”
When asked if the definitions’ wording would be altered, Ms. Atkins refrained from providing a direct response.
She stated, “We do not criminalise individuals who sleep on the streets due to lack of housing in any way.”
“Our objective is to assist them in securing supportive housing, as once more, a significant number of individuals experiencing homelessness have intricate requirements, including mental health support.”
“During their lifetime, they might have been subjected to dreadful adverse childhood experiences.”
“This situation involves genuine vulnerabilities that we wish to address. Furthermore, this does not involve criminalising the destitute.”
As one of the charities that signed the letter to the home secretary, Crisis, Matt Downie, the chief executive officer of Crisis, issued a cautionary message to ministers attempting to advance the bill.
He stated that despite the government’s moral obligation to eradicate unsafe sleeping, these new measures will make it more challenging to do so.
“They will penalise individuals who are destitute and drive them further away from support.”
“Take a step towards financial freedom – claim your free Webull shares now!”
“We can put an end to rough sleeping if we prioritise effective solutions, such as investing in specialised support that assists individuals in maintaining their residences and constructing secure and stable social housing.”
But the home secretary can begin by eliminating these callous and counterproductive measures by heeding the concerns of these seasoned organizations; doing so would be the simplest and most effective course of action.
According to the most recent government study on homelessness, 3,898 individuals in England spent a single night camping rough, a 27% increase from the previous year.
Furthermore, it is estimated that over 242,000 households in England are homeless in some capacity, including rough sleeping, sofa surfing, or being confined to impermanent housing.
Additionally, according to research from Crisis, nine out of ten individuals who sleep rough have experienced violence or maltreatment.
