Homeless Information
Homeless Definition Under the McKinney-Vento Act
According to the federal McKinney-Vento Act, a family and the children of the family are considered in transition (or homeless) if they and/or their children:
- (A) Lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
- (B) This includes--
- (1) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason…
- (2) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings …
- (3) children who are unaccompanied youth, which includes youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian…
- (4) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
- (5) migratory children.
Rights of Children of Families in Transition (or homeless)
Children in this situation are entitled to:
- (A) Immediate Enrollment -The right to be enrolled immediately in school, without medical or academic records, regardless of district policy.
- (B) Choice of Schools -The homeless child has three choices:
- School of Origin - The School the child last attended.
- School of Origin - The school the child attended when he/she became homeless
- The school closest to temporary housing
- (C) Transportation - Homeless children are entitled to the same rights to transportation as other children in their district. School districts are responsible for transportation costs.
- (D) Services - Homeless children are entitled to the same services that are available to other children in their districts.
- (E) They qualify for waiver fees and free and reduced lunch. “School fees” that are waived include, but are not limited to: Charges for textbooks, instructional materials, locks, towels, lab equipment, field trips, for uniforms or equipment related to sports or fine arts programs, supplies related to a particular class such as shop, home economics, lab, and art. Fees for graduation like cap and gowns, school records, health services, and driver’s education.
- (F) Dispute Resolution - If problems arise between the school and parents or between districts, the parent shall be referred to an intermediary in each Regional Office of Education. In the meantime, the child must remain in school and receive transportation.