"Ended for good": Prince William launches project inspired by Lady Di
Prince William has launched his most ambitious project to date, announcing his plan to end homelessness in the UK within five short years.
The Prince of Wales set out to visit six areas in the UK that experience different types of homelessness with a distinct set of challenges, outlining a detailed plan to see homelessness eradicated.
On his two-day tour, the 41-year-old royal shared that his late mother, Princess Diana, was a big inspiration behind the project, after she helped open William's eyes to the nation-wide problem.
In the south London borough of Lambeth, Prince William described how he was inspired by "heart-breaking" visits to shelters he made with his mother as a child.
"My first visit to a homelessness shelter was when I was 11 with my mother," he told the Mosaic Clubhouse, which supports people with mental health problems.
"The visits we made, left a deep and lasting impression."
"I met so many extraordinary people and listened to so many heart-breaking personal stories. Too many people have found themselves without a stable and permanent place to call home."
"Through these visits, I have seen first-hand the breadth and complexities of homelessness."
William said he hoped the Homewards program would "inspire belief throughout the UK and beyond that homelessness can be ended for good".
Prince William's Homewards program focuses on preventing homelessness before it begins, bringing together all organisations working in the sector to create solutions that target local challenges.
The launch of the project, which was two years in the making, comes days before what would have been Diana's 62nd birthday on July 1st.
A major focus of Homewards will be on providing homes to those who need them.
"I am pleased to stand here today at the start of our path to ending homelessness," he said.
"Over the next five years, I believe that we have a unique opportunity to develop innovative new solutions and scale tangible impact. This will inspire belief throughout the UK – and beyond – that homelessness can be ended for good."
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