Make a homelessness referral (duty to refer)

Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2018, certain public authorities must notify a housing authority if they believe someone they are working with is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless within 56 days. This is known as the duty to refer.

Who Can Refer?

Public authorities required to make referrals include:

  • Prisons
  • Youth offender institutions
  • Secure training centres
  • Secure colleges
  • Youth offending teams
  • Probation services (including community rehabilitation companies)
  • Jobcentre Plus
  • Social service authorities
  • Emergency departments
  • Urgent treatment centres
  • Hospitals in their function of providing inpatient care

Other agencies, such as Housing Associations, can also make referrals if they have signed up to a Commitment to Refer.

Before making a referral

Before making a referral, a public authority/other agency must:

  • Have consent to the referral from the individual
  • Allow the individual to identify the housing authority in England which they would like the notification to be made to and,
  • Have consent from the individual that their contact details can be supplied so the housing authority can contact them regarding the referral

How to make a referral

You can make a referral online by clicking the button below. Please note the button opens in a new window.

Make a referral

This online form can also be used by local housing authorities to make referrals under sections 198 and 208 of the Housing Act 1996 to Ipswich Borough Council.

Important: These forms are for use by agencies working with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. If you are an individual facing homelessness, please contact the Homelessness Options Team directly at:

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