Geeta Nanda, Homewards national expert panellist, said: “With such high levels of youth homelessness in Lambeth, this project offers those at risk of, or experiencing homelessness, the chance they need to thrive. A home provides stability to work, and receiving support is so vital in ensuring people can continue on a secure journey.
“The partnership between Homewards, Centrepoint and the Duchy of Cornwall, with support from Lambeth Council, shows the power of collaboration from across the public, private and voluntary sectors in action. By working together, we can demonstrate it’s possible to end homelessness in our communities.”
Homewards recently turned two as it moves towards the halfway point of a five-year project to show that ending homelessness in the UK is possible.
Just before unveiling the project in 2023, Prince William visited Centrepoint’s Reuben House in Peckham to see how the independent living programme supports young people who have experienced homelessness. Prince William is a patron of the youth homelessness charity.
Now the Peckham project seems to have inspired Homewards’ latest Lambeth venture.
Dubbed an innovative housing project by organisers, the new homes are part of a programme designed to test new ways to make more homes available at scale for those at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.
There are a number of other Homewards projects across its six locations that have scope to be rolled out elsewhere.
It follows the rollout of Invisible Cities tours in Aberdeen to boost employment and work to prevent homelessness in Sheffield schools as well as reshaping engagement with private landlords in the South Yorkshire city.
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The Duchy of Cornwall is also building social housing on land in Nansledan, Cornwall. It’s considered a follow-up to King Charles’s Poundbury project.
Sam Kirkness, executive director for development at Duchy of Cornwall, said the latest Lambeth project has been given the go ahead by the local council and the Duchy will look to “deliver positive impact for people, places and the planet”.
Seyi Obakin, Centrepoint’s chief executive, added: “Centrepoint is committed to ending youth homelessness in the UK and we know that can only be achieved through collaborative effort.
“By linking rent to individual income levels, this innovative housing project offers more than shelter – it offers young people the stepping stone they need to pursue their careers, build financial resilience, and transition out of homelessness for good. Through this project, we will demonstrate the effectiveness of this housing model and, hopefully, inspire similar solutions across the country.”
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