It is startling to see pictures of Vincent in his younger years, enjoying time with his daughter on a summer holiday before his life took a downwards turn. This is one of the documentary’s aims: to make us see homeless people as individuals with backstories, who have ended up on the streets through bad luck or bad choices.
It also shows that the definition of homelessness encompasses more than rough sleepers. In Sheffield, a family of seven has been served with a no-fault eviction notice; in Poole, a 21-year-old with a toddler is living in a hostel after her relationship broke down, and receiving no support for her mental-health issues.
These cases are being handled by patient and enthusiastic local support workers, and their stories told in the documentary by people such as Cohen-Hatton (formerly homeless herself, she is chief fire officer for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and a natural TV performer) and Gail Porter, another Homewards advocate with experience of losing the roof over her head.
So where is Prince William in all this? He is the figurehead, the energiser, the royal whose pulling power can get people around the table. In certain corners of social media he has the unfortunate nickname of Billy Idle, on account of his perceived work rate. But his interest in this subject seems genuine and he has a real capacity for putting people at ease, dispensing hugs and jokes, and mucking in at a shelter providing Christmas dinners.
And on the Duchy estate in Cornwall, the Prince is building homes for long-term temporary housing. “At some point you’ve got to put your hand in your pocket and do something that’s going to make a difference to people’s lives,” he said (the Duchy has assets of £1bn).
Of course, this documentary is also part of the Palace’s PR operation to build a profile for the future monarch. Everyone is recorded saying what a great guy he is. The Prince is asked about the criticism that he has faced for taking on this particular subject, given his wealth and privilege and abundance of homes. He replies in carefully chosen soundbites while skirting the question, because there is really no satisfactory way for him to answer it. This programme is the best response he can give to those critics.
Prince William: We Can End Homelessness is on ITV1 on Wednesday at 9pm