New SOP proposed for night shelters to boost safety, hygiene

In the aftermath of the recent fire at the Vasant Vihar Night Shelter, the National Forum for Homeless Housing Rights, in collaboration with the Centre for Holistic Development, has submitted a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board for implementation across all shelter homes in the Capital.

The proposed guidelines were prepared through a participatory dialogue with frontline shelter home workers and staff, aiming to ensure uniform safety measures, accountability, improved hygiene, and better working conditions in Delhi’s Rain Baseras. The SOP applies to night shelters, permanent shelters, temporary seasonal shelters and special category shelters operated by the Board.

The document outlines the roles and responsibilities of three key categories of shelter staff — caretaker or reliever, sanitation worker, and female shelter home guard — who are central to the daily functioning of shelter homes.

Under the proposed norms, caretakers are responsible for maintaining daily cleanliness of the shelter premises, proper waste disposal, and hygienic upkeep of blankets, bedsheets and mats. They are also tasked with enforcing strict safety rules, including a complete ban on smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, and cooking inside shelter premises. Caretakers must prevent accidents, report hazards and immediately inform supervisors or the shelter control room about repair needs or shortages of essential materials.

The guidelines mandate accurate record-keeping, including staff attendance, stock registers, homeless residents’ registers checked shift-wise, visitor logs, and incident reports. In the event of a medical emergency, caretakers must arrange immediate assistance, contact emergency services by calling 112 when required, and inform senior officials without delay.

Sanitation workers are assigned daily cleaning of shelter premises, toilets, and bathing areas, with emphasis on keeping toilets odor-free, disinfected, and hygienic at all times.

Special focus has been placed on the role of Female Shelter Home Guards, who are responsible for monitoring entry and exit of women residents, ensuring safety and privacy, maintaining detailed records, and responding to emergencies by contacting services such as 112 or 1098.

The document reiterates that all shelter facilities, including accommodation, bedding, and food — such as tea, breakfast, lunch, and dinner — are provided free of cost by the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.