Prince William marked the third anniversary of his Homewards campaign on Monday, asserting that homelessness is a consequence of systemic failures rather than individual shortcomings. The royal, who is undertaking a series of public engagements to mark the occasion, stated that if systems contribute to the problem, they can also be part of the solution.
The Homewards initiative, now in its third year, aims to demonstrate that homelessness can be solved. The program is being piloted in six locations across the United Kingdom: Lambeth in London, Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Newport in Wales, Northern Ireland, and Sheffield. These locations collaborate with various organizations, including local councils, house builders, charities, banks, and schools, to develop integrated policies and solutions.
New figures indicate that the campaign is yielding tangible results. Approximately £1.9 million has been invested across the six Homewards locations, with an additional £3.5 million secured through grants and private philanthropy. Furthermore, surplus goods valued at £2.3 million, contributed by supporters like IKEA, have been used to furnish homes for participants. The initiative has also supported 250 individuals into stable employment.
Hazel Detsiny, executive director of Homelessness at The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, described her conversations with Prince William as "punchy." She noted that the Prince consistently asks about measurable outcomes and the potential for long-term change. "If we start to change the culture, if people across the whole society think differently, act differently, work together, feel optimistic, then that will also be part of that sustainable long-term change that will spread to other places," William is expected to say in a speech.
The campaign emphasizes that homelessness extends beyond visible rough sleeping. Over 170,000 children in the UK are currently living in temporary accommodation, which is often unsuitable. A key component of Homewards is identifying at-risk children, families, and young people to provide support before a crisis point is reached.
Chelsie Robinson, a 28-year-old from Newport who was supported by Homewards, shared her experience. Having lost work during the COVID-19 pandemic and her mother to cancer, she struggled with addiction. Robinson stated that her life has dramatically changed and expressed gratitude for the support received. She described Prince William as "humble and beautiful," noting his personable and kind demeanor during their interactions.
In the remaining two years of the initiative, Prince William aims to prove that the successful models from the flagship locations can be scaled up for national implementation. His focus remains on fostering a collective societal effort to prevent and end homelessness.