Duty to refer
The Homelessness Reduction Act introduces a duty on certain public authorities in England to notify local housing authorities of service users they think may be homeless or threatened with becoming homeless in 56 days. The public authority must have permission from the individual before referring them.
Who can make a referal?
- health services (accident and emergency, in-patient and all mental health services)
- social care services
- children’s services
- prisons and probation services
- youth offender institutions and youth offending teams
- training centres and colleges
- Jobcentre Plus
In addition, a number of other agencies such as social housing providers, police, homeless charities, have signed up to a voluntary agreement to refer.