47.Direct access accommodation is accommodation provided by a community landlord or a charity registered with the Charity Commission (under the Charities Act 2011), which is provided on a very short-term basis (24 hours or less) to people who satisfy criteria set by the landlord (which will generally require the person to have an immediate need for accommodation).
Commentary on Sections Part 2 - Occupation contracts and Landlords Schedule 2 - Exceptions to section 7 Paragraph 10