Housing association asked for all personal documents but didn't get reference off my letting agency before not accepting me. Is this legal?

[Mammabear8120]

I'm being made homeless and have had a section 21 off my landlord 4 months ago, who is selling the property I rent. I've lived here 7 years and have always paid my rent on time, paid my bills on time etc.
I have been shortlisted for a new build house with a housing association who requested all personal firms of ID and documentation: Drivers licence, birth certificate, passport, 3 months bank statements, 3 months wage slips, utility bill, proof of Universal Credit and Housing Benefit, my current tenancy agreement and my current or previous landlords/letting agents addresses and tel nos for a reference. Their email said if I didn't hear back within 2 weeks to assume I've not got it. This was 5 days ago and the date it had to be in was 2 days ago. I've not heard anything and when I went on my select move account it now shows bid unsuccessful on the house I was shortlisted for (I was 9th in the queue on this one) and the second one they have I'm showing as 31st in the queue for. There's only 2 houses been listed and I've checked online and it doesn't look like any more are being built at this development. I can't understand how a shortlist would have over 30 people for one property. I've heard nothing from them and my letting agent hasn't been contacted for a reference.
Is this legal under data protection to request someone's personal documents then not even get a reference for them or contact them to say they're not successful? I've been trying to contact shelter to ask them but I can't get through on the phone or web chat for the past 2 days. The council just fob me off all the time and say I'm one of hundreds in the same boat. I know I am and don't consider myself more needy than anyone else in my position but my mental health has been affected, I'm severely depressed and have panic attacks all the time. I'm signed off work and can't get anything private as my boss has cut my hours to half a week after I told her my situation with my home. So now I won't be considered for another private rental and all the properties that do come up to rent are way out of my budget.

Can't you bid on other properties?

There's lots of people in the queue as people turn down properties for various reasons or get offered multiple properties.

There's no issue with them having your information as you gave it. They'll destroy it when they no longer have a need to store it.

Yes I'm bidding on everything, even properties out of my area. This one isn't in my area its outside of where we live currently. This is the closest I've come in the queue as everything else I'm still coming 50 to 320 in the queue for.
What I'm asking is is it legal under data protection to request all this personal information and documents if they're not even going to ask for a reference for them?

Yes, it is. They had a valid reason for needing these documents and should destroy any copies when they no longer have need of them. Whether they asked for a reference is irrelevant.