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Referrals and Housing Enquiries

Whether you are seeking support for yourself, referring someone professionally or trying to secure emergency accommodation, we aim to make the process clear and straightforward.

Choose the referral route that best matches the situation and provide as much information as possible. Our team will review the enquiry, assess the person’s needs and explain the next steps.

48 Hour Housing Aim

Supportive Assessment

Professional Response

a happy office worker completing a supported housing referral at his desk

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Important Emergency Notice

Able Social Housing is not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, at risk of harm, or needs urgent medical or police assistance, contact emergency services immediately on 999. If someone is homeless or at risk of homelessness, they should also contact their local council homelessness team as soon as possible.

Different situations require different information and levels of urgency. Choose the most suitable referral route below so your enquiry reaches the right team and can be reviewed properly.

Self
Referral

For people who are seeking housing or support for themselves and want to tell us directly about their current situation,

needs and circumstances.

This route allows you to explain what support you may need, where you are currently staying and any risks or difficulties affecting your housing.

Find The Right Way to Refer

Professional Referral

For councils, support workers, housing teams, charities, probation services, healthcare professionals and other organisations referring someone they are supporting.

This route allows professionals to provide fuller background information, risk details and relevant support needs.

Emergency Housing Enquiry

For urgent situations where someone may be homeless, at immediate risk or without safe accommodation, please utilise this service. Emergency enquiries should include clear information about the current circumstances, level of urgency and any immediate safeguarding concerns.

a group of happy office workers sitting around a desk looking at a housing referral form
two hands close up signing a housing referral document
a close up of a British front door in a clean supported housing property

Referrals for People Who Need Housing and Support

We understand that no two people have the same story, circumstances or support needs. Some may be facing homelessness, others may be living somewhere unsafe or unstable, and some may simply need a more supportive environment to help them move forward.

Every referral is considered with care, respect and without judgement. We take the time to understand the individual, what they have experienced and what kind of accommodation and support may be right for them. Suitability will depend on their needs, risks, preferred location and the accommodation available, but each person is treated as an individual throughout the process.

Referral circumstance may include:

  • Homelessness

  • Risk of Homelessness

  • Unsafe Accommodation

  • Housing Instability

  • Leaving Care

  • Leaving Prison

  • Domestic Breakdown

  • Support Needs

Outcome and Next Steps

We explain the outcome as clearly as possible and outline what happens next. This may include further checks, a meeting, a proposed placement or signposting to another service where appropriate.

Where the referral is suitable, we consider the accommodation currently available and whether a safe, appropriate placement can be offered.

We assess whether our accommodation and support may be suitable. This includes considering individual needs, risks, safeguarding concerns, compatibility and the level of support required.

Further
Information

Where needed, we may contact the applicant, referrer or other professionals involved to ask questions and build a clearer understanding of the person’s circumstances.

Initial
Review

We consider the person’s current housing situation, support needs, preferred location and any immediate concerns. We also check whether any important information is missing.

Referral
Received

We confirm that the referral has been received and begin reviewing the information provided. Each enquiry is treated with care, respect and sensitivity from the very beginning.

Individual Assessment

A Clear and Supportive Referral Process

Once a referral is submitted, our team carefully reviews the information provided to understand the person’s circumstances, support needs and current level of urgency. We take a thoughtful, person centred approach and keep applicants and referrers informed throughout the process.

Placement Consideration

We Help to Support:

Houses

Apartments

HMOs

Larger Properties

Furnished

Homes

Unfurnished

Homes

Blocks of 

Flats

Converted

Properties

Bungalows

More Than Just a Place To Stay

A safe and stable home can give someone the breathing space they need to begin moving forward. It can offer security, routine and a sense of belonging, especially for people who may have experienced homelessness, uncertainty or difficult circumstances.

We understand that housing alone is not always enough. Our support is shaped around the individual and may include help with daily living, appointments, budgeting, accessing services and building confidence. The aim is to help each person feel settled, supported and better able to work towards greater independence.

Understanding the Whole Person

A referral is about much more than someone’s current housing situation. To understand what may be most suitable, we look at the person’s experiences, strengths, support needs and the challenges they may currently be facing.

This helps us consider not only whether accommodation may be available, but also what type of environment, level of support and location could give the person the best chance of feeling safe, settled and able to move forward.

We May Consider:

  • Current Housing Situation

  • Personal Support Needs

  • Physical and Mental Wellbeing

  • Safeguarding Concerns

  • Daily Living Skills

  • Existing Support Networks

  • Location and Local Connections

  • Personal Goals and Aspirations

a tenant and a support worker using a laptop discussing supported accommodation

We want each person to feel safe, respected and properly supported in their accommodation. That means taking the time to understand their individual circumstances and making sure any proposed placement is suitable for their needs, the property and the people already living there.

A referral is never treated as a simple box ticking exercise. We look carefully at support needs, known risks, safeguarding concerns, location, compatibility and the type of environment in which the person is most likely to feel settled and make positive progress.

Every person has a different background, set of experiences and level of support need. We consider the information provided as a whole so that any decision reflects the individual rather than relying on a one size fits all approach.

Individual
Assessment

We consider whether the location, property type, available support and other residents are likely to provide an appropriate living environment. The aim is to create placements that feel stable, respectful and manageable for everyone involved.

Placement
Suitability

Your Property Managed Professionally

We carefully review any known risks, vulnerabilities or safeguarding concerns before a placement is considered. This helps us understand what support, boundaries or additional measures may be needed to keep everyone safe.

Safeguarding
Review

We explain the process as clearly as possible and keep applicants and referrers informed where further information or action is needed. Where a placement cannot be offered, we communicate the outcome and provide appropriate guidance where possible.

Clear
Communication

a happy emergency housing tenant with a peaceful smile

Need Housing Urgently?

Facing homelessness or losing a safe place to stay can feel frightening and overwhelming. Our emergency housing enquiry route is for people who may have nowhere suitable to go, are at immediate risk of homelessness or cannot safely remain where they are.

We review urgent enquiries with care, considering the person’s safety, support needs and current circumstances. Clear information helps us understand the situation and decide the most appropriate next steps as quickly as possible.

All enquiries are subject to assessment, suitability and available accommodation, so a placement cannot be guaranteed. However, we will treat the situation seriously and explain what happens next.

Immediate

Homeslessness

Unsafe

Accommodation

Urgent

Support

Submit Your Enquiry

We understand that asking for help can feel difficult, especially when someone is facing uncertainty about where they will live. Please share as much information as you can so our team can understand the situation and review the most suitable next steps.

Every enquiry is treated with care, respect and sensitivity. You do not need to have every answer before getting in touch, and we may contact you if any further information is needed.

Referrals

Applicants Personal Details

Gender
Age
ID Type

Applicants Contact Details

Personal Circumstances

Do you drink alcohol?
Yes
No
Do you take drugs?
Yes
No
Do you smoke?
Yes
No
Do you have a criminal record?
Yes
No
What proof of ID do you have?
Do you have next of kin details?
Yes
No
Do you have a current landlord?
Yes
No
Do you have a probation officer?
Yes
No
Do you have a CPN worker?
Yes
No
Do you have a social/key worker?
Yes
No
Is a professional filling this form in on behalf of the applicant?
Yes
No

Frequently asked questions

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