Homes for youths on Duchy-owned land approved

The project is part of Prince William's Homewards programme, which aims to prevent homelessness

A property in south London owned by the Duchy of Cornwall will be turned into new homes for young people who have experienced homelessness.

The site, 60 Sancroft Street in Vauxhall, is to be renovated into 16 affordable rentals for 18 to 25 year olds, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In a meeting on 29 July, Lambeth Council unanimously approved the plan that forms part of the Prince and Princess of Wales' Homewards programme, which aims to prevent homelessness.

The first homes will be delivered by the end of 2026 and will be managed by homeless charity Centrepoint.

Michelle Donovan, head of independent living at Centrepoint, said the scheme will "allow [young people] to hold down a job, end their reliance upon benefits, and escape from homelessness for good."

The flats will be allocated to people aged 18 to 25 who have been homeless, are at risk of homelessness, or are in supported housing and are ready to live independently.

Rents will be set at one-third of a tenant's gross earnings, with 12 of the 16 tenants required to be in full-time employment.

The remaining four will be supported to find jobs by youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, who will manage the site, and the council.

The building in Lambeth will be converted into 16 affordable flats

The Vauxhall site was originally built in 1937, and had been used a children's hospital until 1990 and as accommodation for medical staff until last year.

Plans for the site also include a former health centre at 65 Sancroft Street, which will be demolished and replaced by 23 flats.

The majority of these flats will be privately rented, with two allocated as affordable housing at a discounted market rent.

Vauxhall councillor Martin Bailey said: "This scheme embodies the very best of what planning should achieve, combining a sensitive approach to heritage, outstanding design-quality, and most importantly delivering essential social value in our borough."

A separate address owned by the Duchy of Cornwall on Sancroft Street will be turned into 23 flats

The Duchy's estate covers 128,922 acres of land across 19 counties and includes farms, residential properties, forests and coastline.

Its revenues are used to fund the public, charitable and private activities of the Duke of Cornwall, currently Prince William.

The Royal Foundation's Homewards programme, aims to end homelessness with a five-year campaign launched in 2023.

Its Innovative Housing Projects span six locations across the UK, including this plan in Lambeth.

Similar plans were announced last February in Cornwall.

Correction 12 August 2025: This article originally described the land in south London as royal land which is owned by Prince William and has been amended to make clear that this land is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. It has also been updated to include more details about the Duchy's estate and explain that its revenues are used to fund the public, charitable and private activities of the Duke of Cornwall, currently Prince William.