Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, a fire service chief who was homeless as a teenager, was invited to Windsor Castle by Prince Charles. She used the opportunity to speak with Prince William and discuss the importance of not writing off homeless people, citing her own story as evidence. She also acted as an advocate for the Homewards project, which the prince launched in an effort to tackle homelessness.
The Homewards project is a five-year effort that aims to find approaches that have been successful in addressing homelessness and replicating them around the country. The project targets six areas of the UK: Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Lambeth, Newport, Sheffield and Northern Ireland. The approach involves identifying sofa-surfing and the links between relationships and homelessness. It is also designed to change attitudes towards homelessness and get rid of the stigma associated with it. There are also efforts to identify young people who are at risk of becoming homeless by putting housing officers in schools.
Crisis CEO Matt Downie has praised the Homewards project, saying that it can combat the cynicism that presupposes homelessness is inevitable. The evidence exists to prevent it, he says, citing Finland as an example where only 150 homeless families are currently present. However, over 100,000 households in the UK qualify as “homeless”. The partnership aims to address low self-esteem and confidence among homeless people and remove the practical barriers for homeless people such as pets, which Sabrina experienced during her time sleeping rough.
Despite criticisms, Prince William has used his position to speak about homelessness. Some groups, including Republican, have called the prince’s interest in homeless causes hypocritical. The prince’s interest in homelessness reportedly stems from his mother’s work with homelessness charities when he was a child. George Anderson, a Big Issue seller and medical researcher, welcomes Prince William’s efforts, citing his encouragement for people who are distant from homelessness to feel empathy and care
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