People who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless have been reassured that help is available to them.

Allerdale council’s housing options team is continuing work to find suitable housing options for those who are homeless, while trying to identify people who are sleeping rough on the streets of Allerdale.

Those who require support are asked to call the housing options’ phone number 01900 702660 (or 0303 123 1702 out of hours) if possible.

Marion Fitzgerald, Executive member for policy, governance and people resources, said: “It is crucial that we work in partnership with our local housing providers, private sector housing providers and key agencies to ensure that we can support vulnerable people, and to ensure that they are safe, and can, if needed, self-isolate.

“By working together with our partners it will enable us to alleviate the challenges in freeing up homes for those who are homeless and rough sleeping, as it is these people who are more likely to be at risk due to underlying health conditions.

“Since the Covid-19 outbreak we have been working with our Registered Housing Providers, who we thank for being supportive and flexible in helping us to deliver an emergency service and under such difficult circumstances.”

For a temporary period the council has agreed to temporarily suspend choice-based lettings (through the Cumbria Choice website) to allow them to work more flexibly in getting the most vulnerable people in some form of housing.

If you are homeless or in need of advice about homelessness please contact the council's 24/7 service. All information is available at https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/housing/homelessness/are-you-homeless/ or email: homelessness@allerdale.gov.uk.