Ver en Español
The Busy Family’s Guide to School
English Language Learners / Health and Wellness / School Enrollment / Ages 2-18

What Parents Need to Know About the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is designed to support the education of students experiencing homelessness. Here’s what that means for your family.

We know that finding your family without secure housing is incredibly stressful. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act exists to support the education of students who are experiencing homelessness, so that your child’s schooling can remain as stable as possible.

Here’s what that means:

  • The law is designed to protect students with unstable or temporary housing. McKinney-Vento applies to children who “lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This applies to children living in a variety of situations, such as:
    • Transitional or emergency shelters
    • Public or private spaces that are not intended as sleeping quarters (like bus or train stations, park benches, or cars)
    • Shared housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship
    • Motels, trailer parks, campgrounds, abandoned buildings or any other kind of substandard housing
  • The law is intended to ensure that students’ school experience remains stable even if their families are experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento states that children who experience a loss of housing can stay in the school where they are currently enrolled. That is true if they move out of that school district.
  • Transportation to and from school and extracurriculars must be provided at no cost to families. This includes any special transportation necessary to accommodate a child experiencing homelessness, regardless of where the child is living.
  • Schools must enroll children experiencing homelessness, even if they lack normally required documents. While your child has the right to stay in the school they were enrolled in before the loss of housing, you can also enroll your child in a new school, even if you do not have a permanent residence. McKinney-Vento states that a school must immediately enroll your child, even if you do not have the necessary documents (like birth certificates, proof of residency, and immunization records).
  • McKinney-Vento also applies to migrant children and unaccompanied minors. Any child who lacks an adequate and secure place to sleep at night is protected by McKinney-Vento. If you’re uncertain if your child is eligible, your school or district will have a family liaison or homelessness coordinator who can help you understand your rights.
Recommended Resources
The Healthy Children.org logo

HealthyChildren.org

Run by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this parenting website focuses on, well, healthy children. Check out their resources for navigating conversations about puberty and much more.
The GreatSchools.org logo

GreatSchools.org

A solid place to start when you're exploring school options. We especially appreciate GreatSchools.org's thoughtful approach to school ratings.

Related Resources

What Parents Need to Know About School Registration

School Enrollment / Early Childhood Learning / Ages 2 - 18

What Types of Schools Are in My Neighborhood?

English Language Learners / School Enrollment / Early Childhood Learning / Ages 2 - 18

How to Get Your Child's School Records (and Why You Might Want to)

Communicating with School / Grades and Testing / Special Education / Ages 5 - 18

How to Make the Most of Your Local Library

Extracurricular Activities / Learning at Home / Summer Learning / Technology / Ages 2 - 24

Get the Guide by email

You’ll get early access to our newest resources, age-specific tips on how to support your child, invitations to subscribers-only events, and more!

Sign Up