Prince William’s Homewards initiative has launched a significant new partnership with the Multibank charity, whose President is former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The charity will become a key supporter – or Activator – to support Homewards’ goal to show that it is possible to end homelessness, making it “rare, brief and unrepeated.” As Prince William continues to build homes in six focus areas around the UK, the Multibank has agreed to furnish 250 of the initial homes, which are being delivered through Homewards’ Innovative Housing Projects [IHPs].
Homewards is focusing on six areas around the UK using scalable solutions to really make a difference – Lambeth in South London, Bournemouth, Newport, Belfast, Aberdeen and Sheffield.
Each location is placing a keen focus on helping a specific group. For example, in Aberdeen, the spotlight is on single occupants and young people under the age of 25, while Northern Ireland is aiming its help at women who are experiencing chronic homelessness.
The ambitious new partnership will deliver new surplus goods to create homes for people at risk of homelessness, a furniture offer supported by major retailers B&Q, Bosch Home Appliances, DFS Group and IKEA.
The partnership has been announced after research showed that people are 12.5% more likely to sustain a tenancy when provided with furniture and essential goods. These items help to transform empty properties into safe and secure homes and prevent repeat homelessness.
William’s decision to team up with Mr Brown’s charity comes after they appeared on a panel together back in July to discuss how we can help those “screwed over by society”.
At the event, Mr Brown compared William’s work ethic and determination to make a difference to his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. He said, “I think he’s changing people’s view of homelessness and what can be done about it.
“Remember, his mother changed people’s views on AIDS, his mother changed people’s views on landmines, and I think he’s changing people’s view that you’ve got to think of a homeless person as an individual who has potential – who if given the proper chance, can actually make something of their lives, and not as someone to be discounted as a down-and-out.
“He has got this huge convening power… so I think we’re going to see something quite big here.”
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