Assistance for Students Experiencing Homelessness

May 6, 2026

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that protects the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. In Mount Vernon, this means students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence have the right to enroll in school immediately, attend their school of origin, and access the supports they need to learn — regardless of paperwork, transportation, or housing status.

Mount Vernon Schools partners with families through our school social workers, who connect students to mental health services, food, housing, and after-school resources. Whatever your family is facing, we want to know.

Who qualifies as homeless?

Federal McKinney-Vento definition

Children and youth are considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes:

  • Sharing housing with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason (often called "doubled up")
  • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
  • Living in emergency or transitional shelters
  • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or bus/train stations
  • Migratory children living in any of the above situations
  • Unaccompanied youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
Student rights under McKinney-Vento
  • Enroll in school immediately, even without typical documents (proof of residency, immunization records, school records, birth certificate)
  • Continue in the school of origin, even if housing has moved, when in the student's best interest
  • Transportation to and from the school of origin, when feasible
  • Free school meals
  • Equal access to the same public education provided to all students, including preschool
  • Comparable services to those received by housed students (Title I, special education, gifted education, ELL, school nutrition, etc.)

Community resources

Housing & emergency support