For more than ten years, Nickie has worked to secure more services, resources, and powers to end rough sleeping. Nickie has continued to make the case in Parliament since her election in 2019. Ending rough sleeping for good by 2024 is now a priority for the Government.
Nickie firmly believes that if the Government is to meet this laudable ambition, then repealing the Vagrancy Act (1824) and replacing it with a new approach to tackle the underlying causes of rough sleeping 21st Century.
The problem with the Act is that rather than seeking to help those on the street, it criminalises them. Nickie is delighted that in responding in the debate she secured on the repeal of the Act, the Minister for Housing & Rough Sleeping, Eddie Hughes MP, confirmed that the Government is looking to conclude a review “at pace”. Nickie is now working with the charities Crisis, St Mungo’s, The Passage and legal experts on proposals on what should replace the Act to ensure legislation addresses why people are on the street and provide the support required to end rough sleeping for good.
