Prince William has vowed to shake up the fight against homelessness, declaring he wants to play the role of “disruptor” to inspire new solutions to the crisis.
During a visit to Newport on Wednesday, the Prince of Wales encouraged leaders in the sector to “throw the paperwork up in the air” and rethink their approach.
Meeting with charity representatives and business leaders, William urged them to break free from traditional methods.
He said: “How do we break it down, give you the freedom to think differently and try new things? Let’s be ambitious and almost throw the paperwork up in the air and see how it lands.”
William’s visit to Newport forms part of his ambitious Homewards initiative, which aims to put six pilot locations, including Newport, on a path to ending homelessness by mid-2028.
Women's homelessness has been identified as a top priority in Newport, where rising numbers are linked to issues such as trauma, poverty, and domestic abuse.
At the Nelson Trust, a women’s support service, William heard moving stories from women who had experienced homelessness.
Among them was Rebecca, 32, a care assistant who recounted her harrowing journey, from living on the streets at just 16 to overcoming the grief of losing her partner and father.
Now focused on her two young daughters, Rebecca said she’s determined to help other “lost teenagers” find their way.
William told her: “You seem like a force of nature, Rebecca. We need more Rebeccas in the world. You’ve been through more than most people do in a lifetime. I’m not sure I would have come out the other side like you.”
Earlier in the day, the prince privately visited victims of domestic abuse and sexual exploitation.
He discussed women's experienced hidden homelessness, a phenomenon more common among women due to safety concerns, often leading to sofa surfing or sleeping on public transport.
William was joined by Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Chief Fire Officer of West Sussex and a Homewards advocate, who shared her own experience of homelessness as a teenager in Newport.
Describing their conversations as “powerful,” Cohen-Hatton said: “One of the questions the prince kept asking was how Homewards is making a difference and how it can help address gaps in the system.”
The visit coincided with the release of a Homewards Newport Coalition report, which has already sparked action.
Local authorities have committed to increasing housing supply specifically for women, NHS Wales will hire an early intervention worker, and trauma training will be expanded across the sector.
William’s determination to challenge conventional approaches reflects his growing reputation as a hands-on royal, willing to take bold steps to tackle societal challenges.
As William put it: “I can be the slight disruptor here.”
