McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is federal legislation that has been in effect since 1987 to support children and youth experiencing homelessness. The McKinney-Vento Act defines ‘homeless children and youth’ as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The intent of the McKinney-Vento Act is to ensure homeless children and youth enroll and succeed in school.

Students living in any of the following situations may be entitled to additional support:

• In a shelter, motel, vehicle, or campground
• On the street
• In an abandoned building, trailer, or other inadequate accommodations (lack of heat, water, etc.)
• Doubled up with friends or relatives because you cannot find or afford housing

Students living in homeless situations have a right to:

• Get help with enrolling in school from the district liaison or other school contact to continue academic success
• Continue in the school they attended (referred to as the school of origin) before they became homeless or the school they last attended, if that is the parent’s choice and is feasible
• Get transportation to and from the school of origin
• Receive free school meals
• Receive additional services such as ELL, Special Education, Title 1, preschool, Quest (gifted), Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Homeless Students: Enrollment Rights and Services

• Policy
• Regulations
• Student Housing Questionnaire (Spanish)

Resources

• National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
• National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)
• Energy Assistance through Hopelink