Public authorities must help prevent homelessness by ensuring they refer any person to a local housing authority where they believe that person is homeless or at risk of homelessness within 56 days. This duty to refer extends to public sector bodies such as social care teams, prisons, probation services, Job centres, NHS healthcare providers, and education providers. For a full list of bodies obligated to comply with the duty to refer, please refer to the government guidance.
It is not the responsibility of public authorities bound by this duty to determine whether a person is eligible for assistance. If the person is rough sleeping, or at risk of homelessness, then they must make the referral, providing the person consents. The local housing authority will then carry out the relevant assessments to determine eligibility. Even if the person is ineligible for assistance and is not owed a housing duty, local authorities must still provide advice and information to support a person who is homeless or at risk of homelessness.
