McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the federal law that protects the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. The law requires all school systems to:

• Identify students in homeless situations

• Immidiately enroll students, even without typically required documents

• Remove barriers that prevent full participation in school

Under McKinney-Vento, students are considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, and adquate nighttime residence, including situations such as:

• Living in shelters or transitional housing

• Staying in hotels or motels due to lack of alternatives

• Sharing housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship

• Living in cars, parks, campgrounds, or other places not designed for habitation

Every school system must designate a local McKinney-Vento liaison to ensure compliance with the law and to connect families to critical supports such as transportation, nutrition programs, and academic or social-emotional services.