Prince William Launches $4 Million Initiative to Combat Homelessness on Cornwall Estate
The Prince of Wales, Prince William, is intensifying his efforts to address homelessness by announcing a plan to construct 24 new homes for those in need on his Duchy of Cornwall estate. The initiative, part of his Homewards project launched last year, aims to provide social housing on his own land in Cornwall, England.
In collaboration with the local Cornish charity St Petrocs, the project is set to build homes in Nansledan, Newquay, with an estimated cost of nearly $4 million (£3 million). The Prince and the Duchy are contributing the land for the project, along with design and development management expertise. Construction is scheduled to commence in September, and the first homes are expected to be completed by the Fall of 2025.
Prince William inherited the $1 billion Duchy of Cornwall estate in September 2022, and it provides a substantial income for him, supporting his family and public duties. The initiative aligns with the Prince’s key priorities for the Duchy of Cornwall, addressing homelessness challenges in Cornwall and other areas under its jurisdiction.
Ben Murphy, estate director at the Duchy of Cornwall, stated, “The shortage of social rent and private rented properties are widely considered to be the main causes of increasing homelessness across the country, which is why we are proud to launch this project alongside ambitious plans to unlock more affordable and attainable homes across our estate.”
The collaboration with St Petrocs and the Homewards program aims to showcase how public, private, and voluntary sectors can work together to address homelessness. The Duchy and Prince William hope this development will serve as a model for similar initiatives nationwide.
Professor Peter Mackie, a member of the Homewards National Expert Panel, emphasized the need for permanent affordable homes, stating, “Building enough permanent affordable homes is a priority, and until we achieve this goal, we must rethink and redesign our temporary solutions.”
Prince William has long been an advocate for addressing homelessness, inspired by his late mother, Princess Diana. He has been actively involved with charities like Centrepoint and has shown a personal commitment by participating in events like sleep-outs to raise awareness.
The announcement coincided with Prince William’s attendance at the 2024 BAFTAs in London, where he expressed his enthusiasm for Christopher Nolan’s work and mentioned his plans to catch up on films with his wife.