Homeless

MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT

Provides certain rights and protection for families experiencing homelessness.

According to McKinney-Vento, anyone who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence is homeless.

For more information about your child(ren)'s rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please contact:


Karen Keller

Homeless Liaison

603.837.2528 x 2075



The state of New Hampshire fully complies with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. It is a United States federal law that guarantees children and youth in homeless situations the following educational rights:
  • To enroll in school immediately, even if missing records and documents normally required for enrollment, such as birth certificates, proof of residence, previous school records or immunization/medical records
  • Enroll, attend classes, and participate fully in all school activities while the school gathers records
  • Attend either the local school or the “school of origin”, if this is in their best interest; the “school of origin” is the school attended when he/she was permanently housed or the school in which the child was last enrolled
  • Receive transportation support to and from the “school of origin” if in the best interest of the child(ren)
  • Free breakfast and lunch for the school year
  • Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other children in these programs

A student is considered “homeless” if he or she is presently:
  • Living in a shelter
  • Living in a motel, hotel, campground due to lack of adequate housing
  • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, or similar settings
  • “Doubled up” living with friends or family due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
  • An “unaccompanied youth” living without a parent or guardian
  • A child of a migrant working
  • In other situations that are not fixed, regular, or adequate for nighttime residence



Resources:

National Center for Homeless Education

NH Department of Education Homeless Education Resources

New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness

New Hampshire Outreach Programs

Home4Hope

School House Connection
Community Resources