PR coup or fair aim? Williams fights homelessness

Heir to the throne Prince William has made it his life’s goal to end homelessness in the UK. The eldest son of King Charles III. launched its new Homewards initiative on Monday. In London, the 41-year-old visited one of the six pilot projects. “In a modern and progressive society, everyone should have a safe home, be treated with dignity and receive the support they need,” said William.

In fact, homelessness is one of Britain’s most pressing social problems. It is estimated that more than 300,000 households are homeless. And there are more and more. The charity crisis has seen an increase of about a third in three years. The rising cost of living, higher rents, unaffordable housing, low wages and precarious jobs, as well as flaws in the social system: the reasons are complex, Crisis stressed.

Homewards wants to make homelessness “rare, temporary and unrepeatable,” William announced. Finland, which has drastically reduced homelessness in just a few years, serves as an example. Federal Construction Minister Klara Geywitz (SPD) was already in the Northern European country to find out how that works.

The timing for Williams’ initiative couldn’t be more appropriate. A survey commissioned by his Royal Foundation found that more than a fifth of those surveyed were victims of homelessness – personally or through family and friends. Almost three-quarters think the problem has increased in the past year and a similar number think that it is not being given enough attention.

Homewards is now calling on local businesses, organizations and individuals to join forces and develop “tailor-made” shelter plans. A maximum of 500,000 pounds (approximately 565,000 Swiss francs) is available for each of the five-year initiatives. The future king announced his idea in the Sunday Times as an “addition to what is already being done”. It is important that his social involvement is not seen as a criticism of the government – the royal family must be apolitical.

Fighting homelessness is a personal concern for William, royal sources assure. 30 years ago, his mother Princess Diana took him to a homeless shelter so that he could experience the suffering of others up close. In 2009 William spent a cold night on the streets of London, he is a patron of two charities.

But not everyone is happy with Williams’ choice. The republican organization, which advocates the abolition of the monarchy, denounces the king’s son as a hypocrite. Homelessness is partly a result of economic inequality — “something represented by the super-rich royals who live in multiple palaces,” Republican leader Graham Smith said. William is therefore not a credible ambassador. With Adelaide Cottage in Windsor Castle, a huge apartment in London’s Kensington Palace and the stately residence Anmer Hall on the East English Sandringham estate, he has three exclusive residences.

In addition, as heir to the throne, William is now one of the largest landowners in the country – entitled to rents from the Duchy of Cornwall. In the interview with the “Sunday Times”, William announced that he would create affordable housing there.

“The prince believes it is time to raise awareness of the issue and take action,” the PA news agency quoted a royal source as saying. Yes, it was said, Willem is in a privileged position. “But this isn’t about grand gestures, this isn’t about a PR stunt. This is about systematically changing the way we as a society think about homelessness.”

Republican boss Smith was not impressed with the insurance companies. “Homelessness is the result of government policies and a lack of investment and is not something that can be solved with charity or royal support,” he said. (sda/dpa)