McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

Housing Instability Support

Definition of Homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homeless children and youths as those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The law provides several examples of situations that meet the definition. This includes children and youths:

• sharing housing due to a loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
• living in hotels, motels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to a lack of alternative adequate housing;
• living in emergency or transitional shelters;
• abandoned in hospitals;
• living in a public or private place not designated for, or normally used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
• living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar places; and/or
• living in one of the above circumstances and who are migratory.

Supports and Resources Available Under the McKinney-Vento Act

• Children and youth who are identified as homeless/in transition are entitled to certain educational rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.  These rights will be explained to you by one of the district’s homeless liaisons.  Some of these rights MAY include:

• Immediate school enrollment and enrollment assistance, including help in obtaining school records, immunization and health records, and special education records
• The ability to continue attending the school they went to when permanently housed and receive transportation assistance (if eligible) or attend the school located in the attendance area where they are temporarily living.
• FREE breakfast/lunch
• Waived school fees
• Assistance with obtaining necessary school supplies/materials
• Waived extracurricular activities fees 
• Waived field trip/material fees
• Participation in any school activity or program available to non-homeless students
• Assistance obtaining personal hygiene supplies and basic clothing needs
• Translation and EL services
• Referrals to other community resources, social services agencies, and programs that can assist homeless/transitional families with basic needs
• Assistance with the appeal process if you feel your rights have been denied