Prince William has visited Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole today to officially launch a new £50million partnership between Lloyds Banking Group and his Homewards initiative.
The Prince of Wales was in the area to mark the significant collaboration aimed at tackling homelessness across the UK.
The partnership represents a major coup for The Royal Foundation’s Homewards programme, which William has championed as part of his ongoing royal work.
The banking group will provide £50million in new lending to support small and medium-sized housing providers and charities.
Prince William steps out after he and Princess Kate secure £50million deal with Lloyds Banking Group
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This funding will help deliver more homes for people experiencing homelessness, including properties with wrap-around support services.
As the UK’s biggest commercial supporter to the social housing sector, Lloyds aims to break down barriers that currently prevent smaller organisations from accessing finance for housing projects.
The funding will unlock more homes for models such as Housing First, providing accommodation with wrap-around support for those most in need.
The pioneering partnership ensures organisations will receive support to become investment-ready alongside the new lending.
Prince William travelled to Bournemouth on Friday
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For many recipients, this will be their first time accessing this type of funding.
Lloyds Banking Group will provide expertise to help organisations build, develop, or refurbish homes.
Some of these properties will be specifically designed for people with additional needs.
The initiative will focus on six flagship Homewards locations: Aberdeen, Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole, Lambeth, Newport, Northern Ireland and Sheffield.
Prince William and Princess Kate have secured a £50million deal with Lloyds Banking Group
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The partnership will bring together local and regional government, not-for-profits and financial institutions across these locations.
This collaborative approach aims to identify key needs and potential providers in each area.
A clear pathway for financial support will be created, including dedicated expertise alongside the new funding.
Lloyds Banking Group will continue their support for housing in the Liverpool City Region as part of the initiative.
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Princess Kate and Prince William pictured in Wales earlier this week
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Pim Gregory, Executive Director for Homelessness at The Royal Foundation, said: “Supporting the Homewards locations to access the funding, skills and expertise needed to deliver homes is an essential part of our mission to demonstrate it is possible to end homelessness.”
“We are thrilled that Lloyds Banking Group will become a Homewards Activator, delivering new funding and investment readiness support to organisations in our Homewards locations.”
Gregory added that Homewards looks forward to working with other financial institutions to “catalyse more homes to help make homelessness rare, brief and unrepeated.”
