Prince William’s homelessness initiative, Homewards, is teaming up with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as they work together to help get as many people off the streets as possible.
Homewards has announced a partnership with The Multibank charity, of which Brown is president.
The charity rescues furniture and other household items through British business surplus stock, and will now use them to furnish homes created by the Prince of Wales’ Innovative Housing Projects.
Well-known brands such as Ikea, B&Q, Bosch, and DFS are helping The Multibank furnish an initial 250 homes.
Gordon Brown has teamed up with Prince William to help put an end to homelessness
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The charity’s aim is to connect local businesses with the people in the local area who need help.
Mr Brown claimed: “The Multibank began with a simple conviction that surplus goods should never be wasted while families go without.
“Companies have the goods people need, and local charities know the people who need them, so The Multibank is an anti-pollution and anti-poverty project at the same time.
“I am delighted that Prince William is doing so much to overturn stigma towards those experiencing homelessness and is working to restore dignity and humanity to people who need compassion the most.”
The former Labour leader continued: “Poverty entrenching effects can be reversed and hope, dignity and opportunity can be restored.
“The Multibank is delighted to become a Homewards Activator and we all look forward to working with Prince William and his Homewards team to provide safe and secure places, where we hope people can thrive.”
Homewards is working to transform empty spaces into housing for the homeless
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Prince William launched Homewards alongside the Royal Foundation in June 2023.
The organisation has one goal: “To demonstrate that it’s possible to end homelessness – making it rare, brief and unrepeated.”
Through the partnerships, more than £1million worth of essential items will be supplied across the UK.
Homewards aims to transform empty spaces into safe and secure homes, and prevent repeat homelessness.
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According to research, people are 12.5 percent more likely to be able to sustain a tenancy when they have been provided with furniture and essential goods.
CEO of Bosch Home Appliances, Gurjan Srivastava, said: “At Bosch, we believe in the power of community and the responsibility we hold to make a positive impact in people's lives.
“Our partnership with Homewards reflects this commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, values that are at the core of our business.
The Multibank will help furnish the homes for Homewards
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“By donating these appliances, we are proud to be part of an initiative that provides safe and secure homes for those in need.”
Homewards has six locations around the UK and will be aiming to invest £500,000 into each of the areas.
The aim is to have created significant change in these areas by 2028, five years after the project launched.
The Multibank is just one of the “dozens of partner organisations, from frontline homelessness charities to big businesses” associated with the project.