Homelessness McKinney Vento

Overview

Students staying in shelters, hotels, or other temporary situations, and students in foster care have certain rights and legal protections to ensure access to public education. Students are protected by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act. Children and youth in temporary or unstable housing have the rights to:

• Stay in the same school.
• Get school transportation.
• Immediately enroll in school without education records, immunization records, or proof of residency.
• Participate fully in school activities.
• Get free school meals.

How is homelessness defined?

Homelessness is defined as children and youth “who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” If you are experiencing the following nighttime residence, you may qualify for benefits under McKinney-Vento:

• In a shelter or transitional housing program.
• In a motel or campground due to a lack of an alternative adequate accommodation.
• In a car, park, abandoned building, on the street, or in a bus or train station.
• Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship.
• An unaccompanied youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.