The Prince of Wales today called for more involvement from the private sector in tackling homelessness.
He emphasised the untapped willingness to help among businesses and landlords.
“There are a wealth of people out there who want to help, but don’t know how,” he said during a visit to Aberdeen, where he met with local organisations working to combat the issue.
During his visit, Prince William sought to persuade private landlords and businesses that supporting those who have experienced homelessness is not as risky as it might seem.
Speaking to those who have personally faced homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues, he expressed his desire to empower “those who are homeless to realise their life matters.”
The Prince highlighted the importance of changing perceptions, noting, “When you're at your lowest ebb, you believe—quite understandably—that people don't care and there's nowhere to go.” He added, “There’s hope, definitely. We’ve got to start changing the narrative.”
Prince William’s visit began at the offices of Shelter Scotland, where he asked staff and service users about the challenges they face in Aberdeen, including unsuitable accommodation and long-term sofa surfing. He acknowledged the pressure faced by the sector, stating, “There’s pressure everywhere, isn’t there?”
The Prince’s Homewards project aims to raise awareness about hidden homelessness and promote early intervention. “You guys do all of the hard work,” he told staff. “But who is supporting you? I want Homewards to be that, to elevate your work and support you.”
He emphasised the importance of involving the private sector, saying, “We’ve got to deliver the homes. I can’t promise we’re going to deliver hundreds and hundreds, but we think there’s a good chance to get the private sector more involved. A lot of the private sector want to help; they want to do it.”
Prince William also viewed a wall of photographs by Margaret Mitchell, part of a project capturing the experiences of those affected by homelessness. He mentioned a similar exhibition held at the Saatchi Gallery in London by Homewards, aiming to bring these stories to a broader audience.
The Prince then spoke with two service users who had turned their lives around with support from Shelter Scotland. One recounted long-term addiction issues and being released from prison without any support. The other described being offered a bare room with just a kettle as his permanent housing.
Prince William reassured them, saying, “You tell me what you want to tell me. No pressure.” He emphasised the need for community support, stating, “Everyone needs to feel like they belong. You need to feel you belong, and you’re cared for.”
Reflecting on the systemic challenges, the Prince noted, “It’s the system, the fact that we’ve got to adapt the system... tweaking the system a little bit so we get more upstream, where there are earlier indications that you’re at risk of homelessness before you get into it.”
He also heard from children living in temporary or unsuitable accommodation, who expressed their fears and hopes through letters. One girl’s ambition to have a house with “four bedrooms, a balcony, and a very big garden” was a light-hearted moment amidst the serious discussions.
“It’s crucial to reach children before it manifests itself in bigger problems in later life,” the Prince remarked, urging people to keep speaking about their experiences to help “empower those who are homeless to realise their life matters.”
Concluding his visit, Prince William walked to Union Kirk, enjoying the sunny weather and engaging with locals who greeted him along the way. Inside, he held a private roundtable meeting before joining a larger gathering of staff and volunteers from the homelessness sector.
Guests at the event included Gail Porter, who has previously experienced homelessness and now advocates for mental health and homelessness issues. Prince William thanked the team behind the Blue Light Card, which has recently been extended to include workers in the homelessness sector, saying, “I’m so pleased you said a quick yes to including staff from homeless charities.”
In a speech, the Prince praised those working in the sector, especially those with lived experience of homelessness. “Despite the trauma and difficulties you have encountered, you have chosen to join the workforce that helped you, so that you can ensure others don’t experience what you did,” he said.
He acknowledged the complexity of homelessness, adding, “I’m so glad to be able to celebrate the enormous and invaluable contribution you and your colleagues across the UK make, today and every day.”
