Duty To Refer/Homelessness Referral

Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, public authorities will have a statutory duty to refer service users they believe to be homeless or threatened with homelessness to us (for example, it is likely they will become homeless within 56 days).

It is important that agencies make these referrals to us so that we can prevent and relieve homelessness effectively.

The statutory duty is coming into effect in October 2018, however agencies are able to make a referral now if they wish to.

Before you start
A referral does not replace a homelessness application. The referred person(s) will still need to complete a homelessness application form if they wish to seek our help. However, following a referral, we will contact the person(s) to begin enquiries.

Before making a referral, a public authority must:

Have consent to the referral from the person(s) being referred
Allow the individual to identify the housing authority in England which they would like to be referred
Have consent that the service user’s contact details can be given so the housing authority can contact them regarding the referral
You will need
Details for the service user, including their preferred method of contact
To confirm that you have consent to the referral from the person(s) being referred