William and Catherine Visit Belfast Homelessness Pilot

Prince William and Catherine visited The Commons in Belfast on October 9 to meet young people and organisations working to address homelessness and employment barriers. The visit promoted Homewards, William’s programme to prevent and tackle homelessness, and highlighted a Belfast employment pilot linked to the initiative. The Commons is a former church being developed as a community hub on the Ormeau Road. During the visit, the couple met people involved in the New Employment Opportunities Network and heard about efforts to help young people at risk of homelessness find work and build more stable lives. The employment approach brings employers together with public services and community organisations. It is intended not only to help participants access jobs, but also to provide support that can help them remain employed. Reports on the pilot say it has helped young people enter work, develop confidence and sustain employment. The supplied accounts do not provide outcome figures or identify an evaluation behind those reported results. The Belfast model is reported as slated to expand to four other Homewards locations. The reports do not name those locations.