Supporting Students Experiencing Housing Transition/Homelessness

McKinney-Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law created to support the enrollment and education of students experiencing homelessness.  The McKinney-Vento Act provides guidance to ensure eligible students receive the same educational opportunities as housed students by removing as many barriers to learning as possible.  Students are considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.  Students living under the following conditions are considered homeless:

Sharing housing with friends or relatives due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons (e.g. doubled up)

• Living in motels, hotels, campgrounds or trailer parks
• Living in an emergency shelter or transitional shelter
• Sleeping in places unfit for human habitation (e.g. park benches)
• Living in cars, parks, public places, abandoned buildings, buses, or train stations

Student’s Rights Under McKinney-Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento identification process takes place every school year.  A student who is identified will remain eligible for rights and services through June 30th.  A student who obtains housing may continue to receive services until the end of the school year.

Students have the right to:

• Immediate enrollment, school will help obtain documents needed for enrollment
• Attend the school of origin (school students attend when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled, including a preschool, before becoming homeless or the last school attended)
• Transfer from the school closet to a student’s current temporary location
• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin. Except for students that are within walking distance of school.
• Hygiene and school supplies
• Access to available education programming and community support.

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY)

A student is considered an unaccompanied homeless youth if the student is identified as McKinney-Vento eligible and is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.  Unaccompanied homeless youth are protected under the McKinney-Vento Act.