Emergency accommodation in the UK: Who to call and how to arrange it

Emergency accommodation in the UK: Who to call and how to arrange it

If you’re responsible for sourcing emergency accommodation, you’ll know just how quickly things can escalate. When a home becomes uninhabitable, whether due to disrepair, fire, flooding or a safeguarding issue, there’s no time to waste. You’re expected to act fast, make the right calls, and put residents first. 

At arrangeMY, we work closely with housing associations, councils and relocation partners across the UK. We understand how complex this work can be, especially when you’re managing limited budgets, high demand, and vulnerable tenants who need reassurance as much as a roof over their heads. 

In this article, we’ll walk through what’s driving the growing demand for emergency accommodation, what makes procurement so challenging, and how you can strengthen your response, with a little help from the right partner. 

Rising demand, growing pressure 

The number of people needing emergency housing is higher than ever. According to government figures, more than 126,040 households were living in temporary accommodation at the end of September 2024 — the highest on record. At the same time, organisations like Shelter are reporting record use of B&Bs and hostels as stopgap housing solutions. 

That pressure lands on your team. Whether it’s disrepair, eviction, rising costs or safeguarding concerns, you’re expected to find safe, appropriate placements, fast. 

But availability alone isn’t enough. You’re also balancing accessibility needs, location, pet-friendly requests, and proximity to schools or support networks. And you’re doing all this under increasing scrutiny, within the limits of tight budgets, while also meeting internal requirements and responsibilities. 

What makes emergency procurement so challenging? 

When an emergency hits, nothing is ever as simple as it looks on paper. Finding appropriate accommodation at speed is hard enough, let alone coordinating transport, managing sensitive circumstances, or navigating internal systems not designed for urgent response. 

We’ve seen how this can quickly snowball. You might be juggling spreadsheets, working across multiple suppliers, or relying on manual booking processes. You’re chasing confirmations and trying to stay on top of spend, all while tenants are waiting for a safe place to go. 

You deserve tools and support that make the process easier, not harder. 

What to expect from a reliable accommodation partner 

At arrangeMY, we believe the right support should take pressure off your team — not add to it. That’s why we focus on being responsive, transparent and easy to work with, so you can deliver what matters most. 

You’ll get access to a national network of hotels and serviced apartments, real-time updates, and a team that understands the urgency and complexity of emergency placements. Whether you’re placing one resident or relocating an entire block, we’ll work quickly and calmly to find the right solution. 

We’re used to managing sensitive moves, from accessibility requirements to pet-friendly accommodation, and we’ll always keep communication clear. Our reporting and invoicing are designed to give you full visibility and control, making it easier to stay on budget and track outcomes. 

Real example: 48 flats, 120 people, placed in under 3 hours 

One of our long-term relocation partners recently contacted us with a large-scale emergency decant. A residential building needed to be cleared immediately, displacing over 120 residents across 48 separate flats. 

Within 2.5 hours, we secured local hotel accommodation for every household, including families, elderly residents and pet owners. From the following day, we began transitioning people into longer-stay serviced apartments and arranged daily transport to work and school to minimise disruption. 

The circumstances were far from ideal, but thanks to the systems and supplier relationships we’ve built, the response was smooth, fast, and handled with care. It’s the level of support we aim to deliver for every housing team we work with. 

Want to strengthen your emergency response? Start here 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach in housing, which is why we’ve put together a free digital guide to help you plan ahead, choose the right partner, and respond with confidence when urgent placements are needed. 

Inside the guide, you’ll find housing-specific advice, a full case study, a procurement checklist and answers to common questions, all designed to help you streamline the process and improve outcomes. 

Click here to download the guide and keep it on hand for when you need it most. 

Let’s take care of the journey, together 

If you’re already feeling stretched, or looking to review how you manage emergency accommodation, we’d love to help. We’ll listen, ask the right questions, and find a solution that works for your team and the people you support. 

You don’t have to do it all alone — we’re here when you need us. Get in touch today.