Homeless Rights

What are the rights of students identified under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act?

Students who are identified as homeless by the school district’s homeless liaison have the following rights from the point of identification.

• Immediate school enrollment: Even without proof of residency, guardianship, immunizations, or school records.
• School choice: Students may choose to stay at the school attended when permanently housed or to enroll in the school where currently living for the remainder of the academic year.
• Free lunches: Homeless students are automatically eligible to receive free lunch for the duration of the school year.
• School fee waivers: Students have the right to equal access to education.
• School supplies: Students have the right to have barriers to education removed. Required school supplies should be provided.
• Transportation: While students are actively homeless, transportation is provided for students residing outside of their school’s attendance area.

Helpful Websites

National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY):  http://www.naehcy.org/

National Center for Homeless Education at SERVE:  http://www.serve.org/nche/

National Law Center on Homeless and Poverty:  http://www.nlchp.org/

National Runaway Switchboard (800) 621-4000 or http://www.nrscrisisline.org

Housing and Urban Development: http://www.hud.gov/homeless/index.cfm

This Homeless Resources Web Page was created by Trisa Hosford January 2011.