Homelessness narrative must change, says William

Prince William launched Homewards in 2023 to try and address the issue of homelessness in the UK

The Prince of Wales has called for the narrative around homelessness to change, and said the issues should be humanised in order to "lose the stigma".

Prince William was speaking during a meeting with women who have experienced homelessness, in Newport.

He described one woman he met - who spoke of her struggles as a homeless teenager after a childhood of neglect - as a "force of nature".

Last year the prince launched Homewards, a five-year plan to help address issues related to homelessness in the UK.

During his visit, the prince viewed portraits of six women forming the Women of Newport photography series, which aims to change perceptions about homelessness.

He met five of the women, including Rebecca, 32, who described being put in foster care aged 10 before being placed in a homeless hostel at 16.

She spoke about attempting suicide after losing her former partner and father within a short period, but said she has now "broken the cycle" and wants to help others.

William said: "You seem like a force of nature, Rebecca. We need more Rebecca's in the world.

"You have been through more things than people go through in their entire lifetimes."

He was meeting members of the Nelson Trust, part of the of Homewards Newport Coalition - one of six locations where Homewards operates.

The prince also spoke of the need to understand and humanise issues of homelessness and "change the narrative, lose the stigma".

He said he wanted to act as a "disruptor" and "say to you all to think differently, outside the box because this is unique what you're doing".

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, who was previously homelessness in Newport, joined the prince during his visit

The prince also privately met women who had experienced homelessness due to domestic abuse and sexual exploitation.

He was joined by Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, who is chief fire officer at West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and was previously homeless in Newport.

She said women are likely to be underrepresented in data because they are more likely to experience sofa surfing or sleeping on public transport.

She said the prince was focused on the "human impact of homelessness" and that she felt he was "quite moved" by the stories he heard.

The Homewards project operates in Newport, Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, Lambeth, Northern Ireland and Sheffield, and aims to work across areas of society to end homelessness in the UK.

Anti-monarchists have accused the prince of being "hypocritical" for his housing project, when he has several homes and more than £20m from the Duchy of Cornwall as a private annual income.

But homelessness campaigners have welcomed him using his platform to raise awareness of the issue.