New Best Practice checklist for emergency accommodation providers
October 13, 2026
Today, Housing Justice has published a new checklist for emergency accommodation providers to support them in reviewing their policies, practices and procedures. This condensed resource with 32 criteria is based on our extensive quality mark accreditation framework, and can be used as a starting point to establish areas of development.
With the government announcing plans to offer everybody a route off the streets before Christmas, we saw the importance of creating a quick, easy to use resource for providers who may be offering emergency accommodation for the first time.
Making more beds available quickly cannot come at the expense of dignity, privacy or safety of guests. There is a risk that pressure to deliver quickly leads to a return to models the sector has spent years moving away from, communal sleeping, shared spaces and short-term provision that does not provide people with the long-term support they need.
The wellbeing of staff and volunteers is also paramount, and we hope that this checklist supports providers in meeting these needs.
Who is this checklist for?
- Newly emerging emergency accommodation providers to ensure best practice from the start
- Established providers wanting to review and improve their ongoing practice or use as a framework to evidence good practice
- Local authorities to understand what good looks like and assist with local planning and commissioning
What is included in the checklist
The checklist has 32 core criteria, broken into 8 sections – Minimum Operating Standards, Policies & Procedures, Physical Space and day-to-day delivery, Guest experience and Outcomes, Staff and Volunteer Wellbeing & Development, Partnerships, Monitoring & Evaluation, Governance.
When can we use it?
The checklist can be utilised at any point in the year and at any stage of your service’s journey.
Providers who are opening up a space for the first time can use this checklist to ensure that they are meeting core best practice when it comes to setting up their initial policies and procedures. It may be useful to set a date to review the checklist in 6 months or a year’s time to assess what changes have taken place and what needs amending.
Established providers may want to utilise it before winter to support in preparations for the busiest season, or in spring when the challenges and gaps for your service are fresh in your mind.
Providers may find it useful to complete the checklist in stages, or divide the sections between colleagues to take a lead on.
What other support is available for providers wanting to develop their practice?
The Faith and Community Development Team are always on hand for 1-1 conversations with our members about improving your services and partnerships. Get in touch on [email protected]
For a more extensive way to review your service, you can complete a Quality Mark self-assessment against the full 113 criteria here. You could then progress to full Quality Mark accreditation in which Housing Justice staff visit you on-site, review your policies and write a full report detailing strengths and recommendations, before we create a detailed development plan together.
To learn more about the Quality Mark or begin the process, get in touch on [email protected]
