Shelter welcomes the launch of the Royal Foundation and Prince William's Homewards programme to end homelessness

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Shelter is proud to be working with the Prince of Wales to shine a spotlight on homelessness and tackle its root causes. With homelessness having almost doubled in the last decade, it has never been more urgent to act.

“Access to a safe home is as vital as education or healthcare, but hundreds of thousands of people don’t have one. Every day our frontline services hear from families and individuals in desperate and terrifying situations, who are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

“By coming together as charities, partners, and fellow citizens we can eradicate homelessness, so that one day, instead of living out of a suitcase in an emergency B&B or bedding down in a bus shelter, everyone in society has a home where they not only feel safe but where they can thrive.”

ENDS