Guide Duty to Refer

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2. Background

What is Duty to Refer?

From 1st October 2018, as part of the Homelessness Reduction Act, public bodies have a legal duty to refer anyone they are working with to a local authority if they are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

These public bodies must ensure that the person they are working with:

  • Agrees to the referral
  • Is advised of how local connection is defined before they are referred
  • Has the choice of which local authority they would like to be referred to

How do I refer someone?