Arriving at the site he was greeted by Alastair Martin, secretary of the Duchy of Cornwall, and spoke to Max, a local man who has experienced homelessness.
“There’s always hope,” said Max.
“That’s what we genuinely want to do,” replied the Prince, “give people like you hope.
“But it’s got to be real and it’s got to be effective.
“Is there anything you can pick out, any key ingredients, that would make it work?”
He said there were so many cliches around what homelessness meant, noting that for many – young people and families in particular – it involved moving from one B&B or shelter to another, rather than rough sleeping.
“Do you think that it’s possible to change the narrative around homelessness?” asked the Prince.
He appeared delighted to hear that Max was in a “good place” and planning to join the Royal Navy. “It’s service, isn’t it?” he said.
Painted in pastel colours
Nansledan will have 4,000 homes, each designed to reflect local architectural tradition, painted in pastel colours and built with locally-sourced materials, such Cornish slate, on curved roads.
Of those, 24 homes will include wraparound support for local people experiencing homelessness.
Building is due to begin in September and be completed by next autumn.
The Prince also spoke to staff about what was driving homelessness in the area, asking if the cost of living crisis was still one of the biggest concerns.
He was told that it was, particularly as it was driving many families apart.
“I’m always impressed by how people can turn their lives around if you give them the chance,” he added.