Homelessness - duty to refer

Although anyone can apply to us as homeless, people should apply where they have a local connection. This means there is more housing options available to the person.

A local connection applies if a person has:

• lived in this area for 6 out of the last 12 months or 3 out of the last 5 years
• a job in the area (except casual work)
• close relatives which have lived in the area for at least 5 years

Living in a hospital or prison does not give a local connection.

Care leavers and local connection

A young person who left care will have a local connection if they are:

• under 21
• normally living in a different area to the local authority that owes them leaving care duties. This is for at least 2 years including some time before they turned 16.

We may refer the person to any area where there is a safe local connection if a person is:

• homeless
• not threatened with homelessness
• has no local connection

If the children services authority is a county council, not a local council, the young person will have a local connection. The connection will be with every housing services within the area of the children services authority.

For more information contact us using our customer services online form (opens new window) or email housingadvice@guildford.gov.uk