Prince helps former homeless woman settle in as initiative reaches new milestone
Prince William is ramping up his mission to tackle homelessness across the UK, unveiling the third Innovative Housing Project under his Homewards initiative—this time in Lambeth, South London.
A building on the Duchy of Cornwall estate will be converted into 16 affordable flats designed for young adults aged 18 to 25. The project will prioritise those already in work or progressing toward employment, reinforcing the initiative’s twin goals of housing security and economic independence.
Launched in June 2023 by the Prince of Wales and The Royal Foundation, the five-year Homewards programme is now in full operational mode across six pilot locations: Lambeth, Sheffield, Aberdeen, Newport, Northern Ireland, and the Bournemouth-Christchurch-Poole area.
In Lambeth, the scheme enjoys strong support from the local council’s homelessness prevention team and community partners, all aiming for long-term change.
The project is being run in collaboration with Centrepoint, the youth homelessness charity Prince William has served as patron of since 2005. As part of its Independent Living Programme, Centrepoint will oversee the Lambeth flats, offering tailored support and income-linked rent to help residents transition to stable, independent living.
The announcement coincides with the second anniversary of Homewards, which has already launched more than 100 initiatives nationwide. A £50 million funding package from Lloyds Bank supports the programme’s ambitious goal: to make homelessness “rare, brief, and unrepeated.”
In March, the first residents moved into the Aberdeen project, where Prince William personally helped a formerly homeless woman settle into her new home, delivering essentials and furnishings in collaboration with local partners.
The Prince continues to champion the cause through creative platforms as well. Last summer, he backed the “Homelessness: Reframed” art exhibition at Saatchi Gallery, helping shift public perception around the issue.
On July 1—what would have been Princess Diana’s 64th birthday—Prince William visited Sheffield to highlight regional progress, underlining his commitment to honouring his mother’s legacy through tangible action.
