Iowa Quality Standards
Supporting a Statewide System of Homelessness Services
The Iowa Council on Homelessness wants to eliminate homelessness in Iowa. The Council decided the best way to make progress toward that goal is to create a strong, connected system of quality services all across the state. The Council has invested in a peer-driven process to gather stakeholder experience and develop the standards and these supporting materials as a solid foundation for ongoing activities to build and strengthen Iowa’s statewide system of homelessness services.
Basic information about the Iowa Quality Standards:
- Use of the standards by any organization or program is voluntary.
- The standards are practical and designed to identify what is necessary in quality organizations and programs.
- The standards cover governance, operations, services, and performance.
- They apply to all kinds of services: outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, Rapid Rehousing, Housing First, and prevention.
- They apply to all kinds of organizations and programs, regardless of size or structure: nonprofit, faith-based, or private.
- They work equally well for established and start-up organizations or programs.
- They apply regardless of the source or type of funding that supports the organization or program. In other words, they are not designed specifically for federally funded programs.
- The standards are valid and valuable in every part of Iowa.
Handouts about the Iowa Quality Standards that may be shared with others:
Iowa Quality Standards User Handbook
The Iowa Quality Standards User Handbook was developed primarily as a tool for implementing the standards and to assist organizations or programs at all stages of development in identifying their own needs. In the User Handbook are detailed explanations, measures, and lists of resources to assist organizations in meeting each specific standard.
It is intended that organizations or programs be introspective and honest, with this handbook serving as a means of self-appraisal and improvement. Leaders, boards, staff, and those wishing to start programs, will all find value by providing new ideas, connections, or resources
Appendix

Legal Disclaimer

The materials available in this handbook and in any related documents are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.
How to Use the Appendix

The documents included below are intended to serve as additional guidance to meet the standards listed. They may include forms or examples and should not be considered applicable to all organizations. Please feel free to modify the documents to best match the needs of your organization and those you serve.
As a reminder, a “standard” is an element of a homelessness program’s governance, operations, services, or performance that is necessary for a quality program and meets funder requirements.
Click on the link to any of the following documents to assist you in your work in meeting the Iowa Quality Standards. You may view the document on screen or download and save it to your computer.
To see which standard(s) each document may support, click on the white down arrow next to that document to show a list of the standard(s) that relate to that particular document.
|
Relevant for all standards and for general information.
|
1.6 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have written policies and procedures regarding record retention and destruction, including but not limited to:
- Corporate records
- Accounting and agency tax records
- Bank records
- Payroll and employment tax records
- Employee records
- Donor and grant records
- Press releases and public filings
- Legal, insurance, and safety records
- Electronic documents and records
- Documents containing protected health information
|
1.9 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should complete annual federal and state tax reporting.
|
2.7 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should provide training, at minimum, for all staff and for volunteers who provide direct services, in the following topics:
- Safety
- Ethics
- Confidentiality
- First Aid (includes blood-borne pathogens), CPR, and AED training, if applicable
- Required OSHA trainings
|
2.7 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should provide training, at minimum, for all staff and for volunteers who provide direct services, in the following topics:
- Safety
- Ethics
- Confidentiality
- First Aid (includes blood-borne pathogens), CPR, and AED training, if applicable
- Required OSHA trainings
|
2.7 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should provide training, at minimum, for all staff and for volunteers who provide direct services, in the following topics:
- Safety
- Ethics
- Confidentiality
- First Aid (includes blood-borne pathogens), CPR, and AED training, if applicable
- Required OSHA trainings
|
2.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should provide additional training, as applicable, for staff and for volunteers who provide direct services.
|
2.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should provide additional training, as applicable, for staff and for volunteers who provide direct services.
4.2 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have basic needs met, e.g., food, shelter, clothing, safety.
4.3 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with non-cash resources which includes but are not limited to: health care, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and legal services.
4.4 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with resources to increase income.
4.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to pursue earned income through employment.
4.6 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in their progress toward clients’ identified goals.
4.7 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should assist clients in managing identified barriers to obtaining and/or sustaining housing.
4.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in making progress towards housing stability.
|
2.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should provide additional training, as applicable, for staff and for volunteers who provide direct services.
|
2.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should provide additional training, as applicable, for staff and for volunteers who provide direct services.
|
2.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should provide additional training, as applicable, for staff and for volunteers who provide direct services.
4.2 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have basic needs met, e.g., food, shelter, clothing, safety.
4.3 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with non-cash resources which includes but are not limited to: health care, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and legal services.
4.4 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with resources to increase income.
4.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to pursue earned income through employment.
4.6 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in their progress toward clients’ identified goals.
4.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in making progress towards housing stability.
|
2.10 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have written notices of client rights. Client rights include but are not limited to:
- Grievance procedure
- Right to informed consent
- Dignity and respect
- Review of services
- Termination policy
- Discharge
- Allow, limit, or refuse release of personal information
- Allow or refuse use of identity and images for publicity purposes
- Notification that their information will be aggregated and used for reporting purposes
|
3.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have written and publicly-available eligibility criteria for each program offered.
|
3.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have written and publicly-available eligibility criteria for each program offered.
|
3.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have written and publicly-available eligibility criteria for each program offered.
|
3.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have written and publicly-available eligibility criteria for each program offered.
|
3.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have written and publicly-available eligibility criteria for each program offered.
|
3.6 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have a written policy which is shared with clients identifying the type, amount, and duration of assistance.
|
3.6 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have a written policy which is shared with clients identifying the type, amount, and duration of assistance.
|
3.6 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have a written policy which is shared with clients identifying the type, amount, and duration of assistance.
|
3.7 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have a written and publicly-available policy describing how assistance is prioritized within each program.
|
3.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have a written policy that clearly explains the appeal process for denial, removal, or termination of services.
|
3.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should have a written policy that clearly explains the appeal process for denial, removal, or termination of services.
|
3.9 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should make each client aware and provide client access to the appeal, denial, removal, and termination of services process. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Grievance procedure
- Right to informed consent
- Dignity and respect
- Review of services
- Termination policy
- Discharge
- Allow, limit, or refuse release of personal information
- Allow or refuse use of identity and images for publicity purposes
- Notification that their information will be aggregated and used for reporting purposes
|
3.10 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should participate in the coordinated assessment approved by the applicable Continuum of Care.
3.11 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should recognize diversity of culture, language, and ability, and have a plan to meet individual needs should it be necessary.
3.12 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should work with other community resources, agencies, and networks to appropriately coordinate services and/or refer a client.
|
3.10 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should participate in the coordinated assessment approved by the applicable Continuum of Care.
3.11 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should recognize diversity of culture, language, and ability, and have a plan to meet individual needs should it be necessary.
3.12 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should work with other community resources, agencies, and networks to appropriately coordinate services and/or refer a client.
|
4.1 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients are offered the opportunity to choose to be off the street.
4.2 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have basic needs met, e.g., food, shelter, clothing, safety.
4.3 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with non-cash resources which includes but are not limited to: health care, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and legal services.
4.4 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with resources to increase income.
4.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to pursue earned income through employment.
|
4.2 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have basic needs met, e.g., food, shelter, clothing, safety.
4.3 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with non-cash resources which includes but are not limited to: health care, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and legal services.
4.4 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with resources to increase income.
4.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to pursue earned income through employment.
4.6 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in their progress toward clients’ identified goals.
4.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in making progress towards housing stability.
|
4.4 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with resources to increase income.
4.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to pursue earned income through employment.
|
4.3 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with non-cash resources which includes but are not limited to: health care, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and legal services.
4.4 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with resources to increase income.
|
4.4 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with resources to increase income.
4.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to pursue earned income through employment.
4.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in making progress towards housing stability.
|
4.3 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with non-cash resources which includes but are not limited to: health care, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and legal services.
4.4 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with resources to increase income.
4.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to pursue earned income through employment.
|
4.3 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with non-cash resources which includes but are not limited to: health care, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and legal services.
4.4 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to connect with resources to increase income.
4.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to pursue earned income through employment.
|
4.5 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should ensure that clients have the opportunity to pursue earned income through employment.
|
4.6 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in their progress toward clients’ identified goals.
|
4.6 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in their progress toward clients’ identified goals.
|
4.6 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in their progress toward clients’ identified goals.
4.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in making progress towards housing stability.
|
4.6 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in their progress toward clients’ identified goals.
4.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in making progress towards housing stability.
|
4.8 An organization providing services to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness should support clients in making progress towards housing stability.
|
|
