Prince William admits ending homelessness is a 'mammoth challenge'
Prince William has marked the second anniversary of his Homewards initiative with a letter of thanks to those involved with the project.
Prince William has acknowledged ending homelessness is a "mammoth challenge".
The Prince of Wales launched his ambitious Homewards project two years ago and in a letter to the six local coalition groups that were formed across the UK, William has thanked them for joining in with his dream to "demonstrate that it is possible to make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated".
In a letter marking the anniversary, he wrote: "After a year of convening, our second year has seen Homewards shift into delivery mode.
"We have moved our first residents into homes, scaled innovative solutions through the Homewards Fund, launched locally led initiatives to tackle homelessness and forged Activator partnerships to deliver homes and employment opportunities with Lloyds Banking Group and Hays.
"Together, we are demonstrating tangible impact.
"I know this is a mammoth challenge and change won't come overnight, but over the past year we've started to shift the dial and there are now people who are no longer experiencing homelessness thanks to your tremendous efforts."
The programme has been launched in Newport in South Wales, Lambeth in south London, Northern Ireland, Aberdeen, Sheffield, Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch, with each "local coalition group" working to identify solutions to specific groups at risk of homelessness in their area, including women and families facing multiple disadvantages in Wales and lone parents in temporary accommodation in the capital.
William noted making changes is "complex and unpredictable" but he is "confident" about the plans.
He wrote: "Homewards is an ambitious programme. Tackling homelessness is not just about building homes. creating long-term change is complex and unpredictable, but I am confident we can lead and inspire understanding, empathy and optimism that homelessness can be ended.
"Focus is also important, and you have identified the groups particularly at risk of homelessness in your locations to drive solutions that show it is possible to prevent their homelessness.
"While visiting the six locations, I have been inspired by the motivation, creativity and expertise that is embodied in each location and the tangible difference you are making for some of society's most vulnerable."
Homewards' "innovative housing projects" has already seen the first residents move into flats in Aberdeen after the scheme linked a local housing association, high street retailers and others to provide and furnish the properties, while Sheffield's first tenants are due to move in this week.
Liz Laurence, Homewards’ programme director, said: “We’re proud to say, as we head into our third year, that Homewards is the broadest collective effort working to prevent homelessness across the UK.
“We set out with a mission to demonstrate that together it’s possible to end homelessness, and I think we are really confident about where we are … We are starting to really see a difference on the ground.”
