A petition has been launched by a group of concerned Carlisle residents about how homelessness is tackled in the city.
The petition was created by the group, headed by Fiona Goldie, after reports of a homeless man in distress in Harraby over the weekend.
They claim that people forced to sleep on the streets were being let down.
The petition calls for a direct access hostel, or a network of alternative provision and a more cushioned approach to meet the needs of vulnerable people.
However, Carlisle City Council said it did everything it could to support people facing homelessness and rough sleeping.
Fiona said: “We are a caring community in Carlisle, we always rise to the occasion when something is wrong in our city.”
A Carlisle City Council spokesman said: “We provide emergency accommodation and support to men, women and families in line with our statutory responsibilities.
“In addition, where possible, we use our discretionary powers to assist those where there is no duty owed, considering the safety needs of all.
“We currently have a range of emergency accommodation options including hostels (with staff on site 24 hours a day); safe houses; complex needs units; and self-contained dispersed provision which are all still operational.
“We have responded to the additional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued to deliver responsive and safe services 24 hour a day; we will continue to do all we can to safely support vulnerable residents; including those at risk of or experiencing domestic abuse and rough sleeping.
“We continue to support people to access basics such as food and clinician care who need it, and work in partnership with key services to address wider needs.
“We are delivering essential services safely in line with government and Public Health England guidelines to protect vulnerable people and staff.
“This includes following our usual out of hours approach via telephone interview and assessment.”
To sign the petition, visit https://www.change.org/p/carlislecc-we-want-a-homelessness-service-that-works
If you are at risk of homelessness or need housing advice
You can contact Carlisle City Council’s services directly at https://hpa2.org/refer/CARL or email [email protected]
During normal office hours call 01228 817200.
Out of hours contact numbers are 01228 817386 (single women and families) and 01228 817373 (single men).
