Thank you for contacting me about the Vagrancy Act 1824 and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts (PCSC) Bill. I recognise concerns with the Vagrancy Act, specifically in regard to its provisions for rough sleepers. As a piece of legislation that is almost 200 years old, it is right that the Government is undertaking a review into the Act to ensure it is fit for purpose.
Under the Cross-Government Rough Sleeping Strategy published in 2018, the Government committed to review legislation around homelessness and rough sleeping, including the Vagrancy Act, to ensure the best measures are in place. It is my understanding that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has noted that this is a complex issue and is looking at all the options. I am told that an update on the Government's findings will be provided in due course.
On the issue of rough sleeping, work continues in this area to ensure vulnerable people are helped off the street for good. For example, the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme (2021/22-2023/24) is helping local authorities and registered providers to offer move-on homes and accompanying support services to people rough sleeping or those with a history of rough sleeping.
I appreciate constituents’ comments regarding housing provision on the island. I believe that much of the current housing being built on the Island is not for Islanders and is harmful to our economy. Many developments fail to meet local demands; we build three and four-bed houses when the Island requires affordable 1 and 2-bedroom properties. As a result, our young people are unable to find or afford the right housing and often have no choice but to leave the Island. I believe that we need a policy that builds the housing that Islanders need. I want to see fewer houses built, but I want almost all of those that are built to be affordable homes for Islanders. I want the Council to become further engaged in shaping the house-building market on the Island and I support plans to establish an Island housing company, to build affordable homes for Islanders.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.