The Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) was enacted on 3 April 2018. It amends rather than replaces legislation on homelessness and on 1 October 2018, it introduced something called "Public Duty to Refer".
The new duty (the Public Duty to Refer) requires a range of public authorities (including Youth Justice Services and Social Services authorities) to identify and refer service users who are homeless or may be threatened with homelessness within 56 days, to a local housing authority of the service user's choice. The service user must consent to the referral being made and consent can be made in writing or given orally. Referrals can be made online to: