Is it too late to apply for university?

If you are wanting to start September 2024, yes you've missed the deadline and can no longer apply unless they fall under clearing in August. If they don't then you will have to apply when the next cycle starts this autumn for September 2025. Most people already have received offers for a start this autumn.
For student accom, assuming you're not applying to Oxbridge, Durham or other collegiate unis, then most people book student halls for their first year and rent privately with friends in following years. You have to do this research yourself and pick what best fits your needs.
For finance, assuming you start September 2025, you can apply for student finance england in April-May 2025 (applications after the deadline doesn't guarantee on time payments). They assess your household income and some other factors to determine how much you can borrow. This is a loan and you pay it back after you graduate and start earning a certain amount of salary. This includes covering tuition fees and also maintenance loans to cover things like rent and food.
For references, I'm assuming you're talking about the references you need for UCAS. I think you would only need them if you were applying through your school but there are plenty of people who apply independently but it never hurts to email your old school for these. These references just help gain an external perspective of you which admissions use to assess whether to give an offer to you.
Just remember if you do apply to the uni, it doesn't guarantee an offer for you since they need to assess your personal statement and references, not just your grades. But if you do receive an offer, it will be unconditional since you've already sat the exams.