You can apply as a homeless person if you can't stay in your home due to domestic violence.
In Westmorland and Furness there are several agencies and accommodation providers offering advice, support, and shelter to help get rough sleepers off the streets.
Getting support
Our outreach team works with rough sleepers. We refer them to partner organisations, and help them find accommodation and support.
If you are rough sleeping, make a homelessness and housing advice application.
We will assess your needs and discuss available options with you. If you come to one of our offices, someone will be able to help you fill in the form.
If you have nowhere to sleep tonight we recommend you come to one of our offices.
You can access local support services on Streetlink.
If you are connected to another professional agency such as the prison service, a hospital, or a youth offender institution, they might have a responsibility to make a referral if you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Read the guide to the duty to refer on GOV.UK
Contact us
Contact the team in your area for support.
Barrow area
Email: dutytorefer1@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Office hours telephone: 01229 876599
Eden area
Email: housingoptions@edenha.org.uk
and dutytorefer2@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Office hours telephone: 01768 212179
South Lakeland area
Email: homelessness@southlakeland.gov.uk
Office hours telephone: 01539 793 199
Out of hours contact details
Telephone: 01229 833311
What happens during severe weather
During periods of extreme weather rough sleepers face additional health risks. We remain committed to protecting the most vulnerable in the community.
There is a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) in Westmorland and Furness. This protocol comes into force during periods of severe weather (0°c or below), and emergency accommodation is provided to rough sleepers during this time.
We also alert local residents when SWEP is activated via social media.
When SWEP is in place, the outreach team and rough sleeping team:
- coordinate engagement with rough sleepers and partners
- check our database to refer rough sleepers to suitable accomodation
- once SWEP is deactivated, work with partners to create long-term solutions for rough sleeping
Make a housing advice application
See the homelessness and housing advice application step-by-step process.