Duty to Refer - Homelessness
Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, certain public authorities have a statutory duty to refer service users they believe to be homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days to their local housing authority.
It is important that agencies make these referrals to us so that we can prevent and relieve homelessness effectively as early as possible.
Lincolnshire has pioneered a countywide solution based on the ALERT Portal to enable public bodies, as well as our existing referral partners, to be able to refer relevant cases to the local authority. This may only be done with the applicant's consent.
The following information must be provided:
- Name, organisation and contact details of the referring agency
- Name and contact details of the client
- Brief details of the current situation
- Outline of current housing position
- Future housing requirements outlined by client
- Confirmation that consent has been obtained from the client
** If you are referring someone outside of office hours who is homeless or will be homeless before the Council offices re-open you must telephone the Out of Hours Service on 01507 601111 and ask to speak to the Duty Homelessness Officer **
In the event that you are unable to access the Alert portal, please contact the Housing Hub on (01507) 601111 option 4 or email us at dutytorefer@e-lindsey.gov.uk