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William Says Systems Can Prevent Homelessness as Homewards Prepares to Scale

The five‑year Homewards programme will use its final two years to test whether six local prevention models can be rolled out across the UK.

Overview

  • Prince William marked Homewards’ third anniversary with a speech at the Tate Modern and a visit to Aberdeen, where he helped furnish a tenant’s flat and urged a shift in how society sees homelessness.
  • Homewards reports early outputs from its 2023–26 pilot phase including more than 2,400 people reached, roughly 70–73 households rehoused and over 250 people supported into employment.
  • The Royal Foundation says it has put £1.9 million into the Homewards Fund and leveraged about £3.5 million in grants and philanthropy plus £2.3 million in surplus goods used to furnish homes through retail partners.
  • Local coalitions in six pilots — Newport, Lambeth, Belfast, Aberdeen, Sheffield and Poole/Bournemouth/Christchurch — have tested prevention tools such as tenancy support, employer networks and a furniture collaboration to sustain tenancies.
  • Homewards’ next phase will focus on scaling proven local practices and gathering the evidence needed to persuade councils, businesses and funders to adopt prevention-focused systems that aim to reduce pressure on temporary accommodation and social housing.