Prince William has announced plans to build 24 homes to temporarily house homeless people on Duchy of Cornwall land.

The project in Nansledan, Newquay will be supported by Cornish homelessness charity St Petrocs, which will ‘help residents access wrap around support, build community connections through training and employment and ultimately find permanent accommodation’.

The Duchy of Cornwall also said that as part of its future housing projects in Nansledan, it would build 200 more affordable homes and create a private rented scheme for those on lower incomes.

Duchy of Cornwall estate director Ben Murphy said: ‘The shortage of social rent and private rented properties are widely considered to be the main causes of increasing homelessness across the country, which is why we are proud to launch this project alongside ambitious plans to unlock more affordable and attainable homes across our estate.’

Responding to the announcement, the chief executive of anti-monarchy campaign Republic, Graham Smith, said: ‘The country will spend at least £3.4bn on the monarchy over the next decade.

‘That's money that could be invested in homes for those who most need them, instead of two dozen palatial homes for one family.

‘The public are well aware of the housing crisis because, unlike William, we are all dealing with the consequences of it. For William to trumpet this very limited scheme as a response to that crisis is nonsense.’

Development of the temporary accommodation is due to begin in September, with the first homes complete next autumn.