Homelessness Reduction Act 2017

Duty on public authorities in England to refer cases

10 Duty of public authority to refer cases to local housing authority

After section 213A of the Housing Act 1996, but before the heading after that section (general provisions), insert—

“213B Duty of public authority to refer cases in England to local housing authority

(1) This section applies if a specified public authority considers that a person in England in relation to whom the authority exercises functions is or may be homeless or threatened with homelessness.

(2) The specified public authority must ask the person to agree to the authority notifying a local housing authority in England of—

(a) the opinion mentioned in subsection (1), and

(b) how the person may be contacted by the local housing authority.

(3) If the person—

(a) agrees to the specified public authority making the notification, and

(b) identifies a local housing authority in England to which the person would like the notification to be made,

the specified public authority must notify that local housing authority of the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(a) and (b).

(4) In this section “specified public authority” means a public authority specified, or of a description specified, in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(5) In subsection (4) “public authority” means a person (other than a local housing authority) who has functions of a public nature.”