McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance

The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth.  The term "homeless children and youth" means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

Students living in the following situations may be eligible for additional support under the McKinney-Vento Act:

• Doubled-up in the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason
• Motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
• Emergency or transitional shelters
• Cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
• Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations
• Unaccompanied youth (not the physical custody of their parent or guardian) living in any of the above situations

Eligible students living in the above situations have the right to:

• Immediate enrollment in school, even if they lack required documents, such as school records, immunization records, or proof of residence
• Attend their school of origin (the school they last attended when permanently housed) OR enroll in their neighborhood school
• Free transportation to and from the school of origin
• Free school meals
• Educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to the student's needs
• Assistance for school fees, school supplies, and referrals to social service supports.

• YMCA Social Impact Center - Emergency Shelter and Housing
• Teen Link
• Friends of Youth
• Kinship resources in King County (for non-guardian caregivers)