Prince William visited Millenium House in Poole today, which offers services to those at risk of homelessness, as he launched a £50million new scheme backed by Lloyds Banking Group

Prince William has said he wants the issue of homelessness to move from being ‘niche’ to ‘mainstream’ as he launched a £50million new scheme to help build more homes.

As part of his Homewards initiative, the Prince of Wales visited Millenium House in Poole, an 11-bed supported housing scheme, which offers ‘wrap-around’ services to those who have mental health needs and are at risk of homelessness. The future king has teamed up with Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) to help unlock funding for more housing across all six Homewards locations -Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, Lambeth, Newport, Northern Ireland and Sheffield.

Prince William during his visit to Millenium House in Poole today ( 
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PA)

He met with Charlie Nunn, the chief executive of LBG and Pim Gregory, the director of Homewards, to hear how the new partnership will work by providing lending at preferential interest rates to small and medium-sized housing providers and charities who have previously faced barriers in accessing funding for new housing.

The aim of the project At Millenium House, which is run by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA), an organisation that already receives funding from LBG, is to give residents their own support plan to help them towards living independently. Sitting around a table with Nunn, Gregory and Kelly Deane, the director of housing at Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole council, William said: “We really want to move Homewards from being a niche thing and make it more mainstream, because everyone cares about people not being on the street.

“We really want to make it a national thing over the next five years. What we also want to do is simplify things and de-mystify things. I don’t like maths – no offence, Charlie, but there are so many stats out there around homelessness, what we want to do with Homewards is show more of the human stories. What I hope we see is how all the jigsaw pieces come together – it isn’t just a case of build a house and put homeless people in those houses. It doesn’t work like that.”

William met with Charlie Nunn, the chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group and Pim Gregory, the director of Homewards ( 
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PA)
He asked Nunn: “I’m always on a fishing exercise – how do we go out to other institutions and as them to get involved?” Nunn told him: “We really appreciate the convening power you bring to the issue, we’ve been really keen to support you and hope that others will follow.”

Turning to Deane, he asked: “How important is the private sector for you?” She told him: “It’s huge. That’s why the convening power of Homewards is so helpful. But we also couldn’t achieve anything in our housing strategy without organisations like BCHA.”

William then met privately with Sean, one of the residents at Millenium House, to hear about his experiences. On the way to his room, William joked “He’s been busy tidying his room all morning, I know he has.” After speaking with Sean, he met with Douglas, 53, originally from Zimbabwe who has been in and out of hospital over many years with mental health challenges, and who has been supported by BCHA.

William greets wellwishers during a visit to Bournemouth ( 
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Sean handed him a letter detailing his life experiences. “Where are you at with your journey, Douglas?” he asked. “I’m pretty stable at the moment, I have emotional issues, and issues with my family, but I’m sure in time they will be sorted out.” He added: “I suppose I can be a difficult person at times.” William joked: “Can’t we all, Douglas? We all have our moments.”

William also heard from Chloe, a resident at Millenium House since August last year, who has also been in and out of hospital with mental health issues. She told William: “I’ve been around a lot of people who work in mental health, and I’ve got to say, the staff here have been particularly good.”

William said: “That’s half the problem, isn’t it? How many people have seen you? As in looking for help and support, you had to tell your story to hundreds of people, and that in itself is exhausting and tiring and you just want to get past that and beyond that.” She told him: “It has not been easy but the support I’ve had here has been amazing. Hopefully I can make something of my life.” William said: “I can see you will already, with the decisions you’re making. Well done you, you’re already heading in the right direction.”

William then heard how staff and residents at Millenium House run’feel-good Fridays’ with music classes, karaoke and gardening sessions. In the garden, he met volunteers including Amber, a former resident who now works as a volunteer supporting current residents.

While William planted broccoli and potato seeds in a box, she told him: “I used to spend hours out here gardening, I found it really therapeutic.” “Being outside in the fresh air helps everyone, “he said, adding: “If these actually grow, you have to let me know.”

Earlier, Nunn had explained why LBG, the UK’s largest supporter of social housing, has decided to come on board with Homewards. “There is a housing crisis, we’re grateful to see the leadership and focus of the Prince and we’re happy to be aligned with that. We’re hoping it is a pattern for other financial organisations. This is about trying to fix a problem the UK shouldn’t have in 2025.”