Prince William has issued a big statement to mark the third anniversary of his homelessness project, Homewards.
On Monday, June 29, The Prince of Wales – who launched Homewards in June 2023, in six different locations across the UK, has announced more than £7million in funds as the project successfully completes three years.
Celebrating the five-year project – which has helped over 250 people into employment, and supported more than 73 homeless individuals and families in moving into safer homes, William noted, “"Homelessness is not an individual failure; it is a systemic failure. And, if systems help create the problem, then systems can help prevent it.”
He continued, "By trialling new approaches, Homewards is demonstrating how prevention can be embedded across every part of our society.”
“Proving that our true strength emerges not in isolation, but in a shared purpose that makes us greater than the sum of our parts,” added the Prince of Wales.
Executive Director of Homelessness at The Royal Foundation Hazel Detsiny statement
In response to ITV’s question regarding her meetings with William, Hazel noted, "Punchy, I would say.”
She continued, “But the question that the Prince always asks me is ‘How will we know this has worked at the end of five years and how will we know it’s worked 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 placesm” added the exec.
Hazel further noted, “We’re not claiming that we’ve got all the answers. We’re only at the halfway point, but we are now seeing green shoots and clear evidence of what works in practice to prevent homelessness and how we can then move on to deliver at scale over the next years.”
Inside Homewards funds and investment
The Homewards project has so far invested £1.9 million across the UK, while raising a further £3.5 million through private philanthropic support.
The project has now expanded into large-scale partnerships, including a £2.3 million collaboration with household brands including IKEA, B&Q and DfS, to support the renovation of peoples’ homes and build stable, long-term tenancies.
It has also launched the Homelessness Data Lab, a association of more than 25 partners working together to explore how data and technology can identify those at risk of homelessness sooner, allowing support to be provided before they reach crisis point.
Prince William’s Homewards connection with Princess Diana
In an ITV documentary in 2023, the heir to the throne revealed how the project has deep a connection with a childhood memory linked with his late mom, Princess Diana.
The future king recalled that when he was just 11 years old, his mother took him to visit the London homelessness charity, The Passage.
This emotional yet eye-opening experience ignited William’s lifelong commitment to tackling the issue of homelessness.
This update comes just a day after Prince Harry's spokesperson issued an official statement addressing the UK security snub just days ahead of The Duke's joint trip with Meghan Markle and kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Harry and Meghan's first joint trip to the UK landed in hot water after the UK government declined duke's request for a tax-payers funded security during his visit, which is expected in the mid of July.
