Duty to refer

Public authorities have a statutory duty to refer people they believe are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

It is important that a referral is made so we can prevent and relieve homelessness effectively.

Before making your referral, please view the government's guide to the duty to refer (opens new window), ensuring that your service is one of the specified public authorities that can make a duty to refer.

You must also make sure:

• The person you're looking to refer understands the purpose of the referral.
• You have the consent of the person you are referring.
• You have allowed the person to choose the local authority they would like to be referred to.

Whilst your service user can request a referral to any local authority for housing advice, it is worth noting the benefits of choosing a local authority to which the service user already has a local connection. This will decrease the risk of receiving advice from one council only for further duties to be referred again elsewhere.

 A local connection will usually be defined by:

• Having lived in the Chichester District for 6 of the last 12 months;
• Having lived in the Chichester District for 3 of the last 5 years;
• Currently employed within the District; or,
• Having a close family member who has lived in the Chichester District continuously for the last 5 years.

Duty to refer form (opens new window)

For more information email dutytorefer@chichester.gov.uk.