Prince William will today announce that he is more convinced than ever that homelessness can be eradicated for good.

The future king is marking one year of his Homewards project to end the scourge of rough sleeping, ‘sofa surfing’ and substandard temporary family accommodation in six key UK locations.

In a speech, he will say: ‘Homelessness is a complex society issue, and one that touches the lives of far too many people in our society. However, I truly believe that it can be ended.’

The heir to the throne launched his most ambitious public project to date last year, inspired by the legacy of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, who took him to shelters as a young child.

It came after William was spotted quietly helping to sell The Big Issue on the streets of Westminster, central London, in June 2022.

Prince William will say today that he is more convinced than ever that homelessness can be eradicated for good (pictured selling the Big Issue in London)
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Prince William will say today that he is more convinced than ever that homelessness can be eradicated for good (pictured selling the Big Issue in London)

The Prince of Wales selling the Big Issue in Westminster, central London with vendors
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The Prince of Wales selling the Big Issue in Westminster, central London with vendors

Prince William outside selling copies of the Big Issue outside a Sainsbury's store in central London
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Prince William outside selling copies of the Big Issue outside a Sainsbury’s store in central London

William at a visit to Pret A Manger in Bournemouth in September 2023. Pret is one of several businesses which pledged support to the Prince's Homewards programme
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William at a visit to Pret A Manger in Bournemouth in September 2023. Pret is one of several businesses which pledged support to the Prince’s Homewards programme

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton (pictured) went from sleeping rough at 15 in Newport to becoming a chief fire officer and one of Homewards' ambassadors
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Sabrina Cohen-Hatton (pictured) went from sleeping rough at 15 in Newport to becoming a chief fire officer and one of Homewards’ ambassadors

Prince William with ambassadors of his Homewards programme Tyrone Mings, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Gail Porter and David Duke (left to right)
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Prince William with ambassadors of his Homewards programme Tyrone Mings, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, Gail Porter and David Duke (left to right)

Homelessness has soared in recent years with 100,000 families in temporary accommodation – affecting 144,000 children – and almost 4,000 people sleeping rough every night.

But in a bid to stop people falling through the net, William has brought together coalitions in Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, Lambeth, Newport, Northern Ireland and Sheffield.

They feature key local parties, from private landlords and local authorities to builders, charities and churches, as well as major firms such as Homebase.

The Prince putting on a face mask during a visit to Faithworks Carpentry Workshop in Bournemouth
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The Prince putting on a face mask during a visit to Faithworks Carpentry Workshop in Bournemouth

William at Maindee Primary School on June 26 2023 with Geri Halliwell to discuss his Homewards project
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William at Maindee Primary School on June 26 2023 with Geri Halliwell to discuss his Homewards project

The Prince spent his 40th birthday selling Big Issue copies with seller Dave Martin at a Tesco store in Hammersmith, London in June 2022
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The Prince spent his 40th birthday selling Big Issue copies with seller Dave Martin at a Tesco store in Hammersmith, London in June 2022

William visiting the Duchy of Cornwall's first ever housing project site to help address homelessness on May 9
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William visiting the Duchy of Cornwall’s first ever housing project site to help address homelessness on May 9

Almost 100 homes have already been delivered, along with a £1million donation of home starter packs and 500 Pret A Manger jobs created. Each location is now looking to unlock homes at scale.

The prince will also unveil one of his new ‘ambassadors’, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, who went from sleeping rough at 15 in Newport after family tragedy to becoming Chief Fire Officer of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

Ms Cohen-Hatton, 41, now also has a 14-year-old daughter, and a doctorate and honorary fellowship at Cardiff University in behavioural neuroscience.

She credits The Big Issue for ‘saving my life’ and the fire service for giving her ‘social mobility that I had only ever dreamed of’.

It comes after it was revealed that William will feature in an ITV documentary this autumn following the prince as he promotes Homewards around the UK.