The Vagrancy Act, originally enacted in 1824, will be formally repealed on the specified date. The law had long been criticised for its outdated approach to homelessness.
The repeal is being enabled by new provisions in the Labour government's Crime and Policing Act, passed in April. These provisions address offences such as facilitating begging for gain and trespassing with intent to commit a crime.
The government stated that the change reflects a shift from punishing rough sleeping to preventing homelessness. Housing Secretary Steve Reed described the move as a step towards a more preventative approach.