Commitment to Refer - guidance for housing associations

This guidance gives housing associations the tools to implement the Commitment to Refer and help end homelessness.

From Monday 1 October 2018, as part of the Homelessness Reduction Act, public bodies have been bound by the Duty to Refer. This is an obligation to refer anyone to a local authority if they are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

Housing associations are not bound by this duty, but a large number of our members told us they were keen to support the implementation of the Act regardless.

We therefore worked with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to develop a housing association offer on the Duty to Refer – known as the Commitment to Refer.

We have produced guidance that provides members with the tools to implement the Commitment to Refer. This guidance also details the other ways your organisation can play a part in ending homelessness. The guidance was originally published before the 1 October 2018 launch of the Commitment to Refer and has now been updated following feedback from members who have implemented it.

If your organisation hasn't signed up to the Commitment to Refer yet, it's not too late. You can find out more in the homelessness section of our website.

So that you can demonstrate your Commitment to Refer, we have produced a graphic that you can use on both on your website and social media.

• Download the graphic.

Download the updated guidance