Prince William leads bold new push to end homelessness across UK

The Prince of Wales’s homelessness initiative, Homewards, has revealed its third Innovative Housing Project in Lambeth an important milestone as the scheme moves into full operational mode.

A property within the Duchy of Cornwall estate in South London will be transformed into 16 affordable flats for young adults aged 18 to 25. 

The selection criteria aim to prioritize applicants who are already employed or on the path toward employment, reflecting the initiative’s dual focus on housing and economic stability

Lambeth is one of six pilot locations selected by the five‑year Homewards programme, which was launched in June 2023 by Prince William and The Royal Foundation. Other sites include Sheffield, Aberdeen, Newport, Northern Ireland, and Bournemouth-Christchurch-Poole

According to Lambeth Council, the project enjoys strong backing from the borough’s dedicated homelessness prevention team and local coalition partners, all working toward systemic change in the area

Homewards operates in partnership with youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, where William has served as patron since 2005. 

Centrepoint will manage the Lambeth flats as part of its Independent Living Programme, offering wraparound support and rent capped at proportion of income to foster independence

This announcement comes as Homewards celebrates its second anniversary. 

Prince William traveled to Sheffield on July 1, marking the date that would have been Princess Diana’s 64th birthday, to highlight Homewards’ regional progress and its ambition to make homelessness “rare, brief, and unrepeated.” 

Across the six areas, more than 100 projects are now underway, backed by a £50 million funding package from Lloyds Bank

In March, the first residents moved into Aberdeen’s Innovative Housing Project. He personally assisted a formerly homeless woman to settle into her home, delivering essentials and furnishing support through coalition partners including local retail and housing providers

Homewards also makes use of creative engagement strategies. In summer 2024, Prince William supported an art exhibition at Saatchi Gallery titled “Homelessness: Reframed.”