Our CEO, Emily Brock, responds to the Chancellor’s Spending Review statement and to news of the plans to scrap the Vagrancy Act of 1824:
“We welcome the Government’s plans to invest in social and affordable housing. Access to affordable housing remains a significant barrier to the young people we support.
“We provide nearly 600 beds for young people who would otherwise be homeless and we’re acutely aware of the demand for beds across our areas of Sussex and Surrey.
“When young people living with us are ready to move on, the current housing crisis means there is a shortage of properties available.
“The £39bn announced for social and affordable housing recognises that systemic change is needed.”
In a separate announcement this week, the Government said it would scrap the Vagrancy Act by Spring 2026. A Parliamentary vote in 2022 previously approved repeal of the Act but a timetable had not been set.
Emily said: “I’m pleased to see that after 200 years of rough sleepers being criminalised, the government is set to repeal this outdated law which further marginalises already vulnerable people.”
