Prince William Calls for New Perspective on Homelessness

The Prince of Wales has advocated for a transformation in the public perception of homelessness, stating that the issues must be humanized to “lose the stigma.” Prince William delivered these remarks during a meeting in Newport with women who have personal experience with homelessness. He characterized one woman he encountered, who recounted her struggles as a homeless teenager after a childhood marked by neglect, as a “force of nature.” Last year, the prince initiated Homewards, a five-year program aimed at addressing homelessness-related challenges across the UK. During his visit, the prince viewed portraits from the Women of Newport photography series, which features six women and seeks to alter societal perceptions of homelessness. He met five of these women, including Rebecca, 32, who shared her experience of being placed in foster care at age 10 and subsequently in a homeless hostel at 16. She spoke about attempting suicide after the rapid loss of both her former partner and father, but stated that she has since “broken the cycle” and is now committed to assisting others. William remarked: “You seem like a force of nature, Rebecca. We need more Rebecca’s in the world.” He added: “You have been through more things than people go through in their entire lifetimes.” The prince was engaging with members of the Nelson Trust, which is part of the Homewards Newport Coalition – one of the six operational sites for the Homewards initiative. The prince also emphasized the necessity of understanding and humanizing the challenges of homelessness, advocating to “change the narrative, lose the stigma.” He expressed his desire to function as a “disruptor” and to “say to you all to think differently, outside the box because this is unique what you’re doing.” Separately, the prince held private meetings with women whose experiences of homelessness stemmed from domestic abuse and sexual exploitation. He was accompanied by Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, the chief fire officer for West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, who had previously experienced homelessness in Newport. Cohen-Hatton noted that women are often underrepresented in homelessness statistics due to their higher likelihood of engaging in “sofa surfing” or sleeping on public transport. She also stated that the prince’s focus was on the “human impact of homelessness” and that she perceived him as “quite moved” by the narratives he encountered. The Homewards project is active in Newport, Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, Lambeth, Northern Ireland, and Sheffield, with the objective of collaborating across various societal sectors to eradicate homelessness throughout the UK. Critics of the monarchy have labeled the prince’s housing project “hypocritical,” citing his ownership of multiple residences and an annual private income exceeding £20 million from the Duchy of Cornwall. Conversely, homelessness advocates have expressed approval of his use of his public position to highlight the issue. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.