Homeless Student Rights

• Homeless Children’s Rights
• Transportation
• Resolving Problems or Disagreements
• Children Awaiting Foster Care Placement
• Further Resources

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that grants certain rights and protections to homeless students. The Act defines a homeless child or youth as any individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The definition includes:

• Children who are living in shelters, hotels, camp grounds, cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings or other similar settings.
• Children who are doubled-up in housing with friends or relatives.
• Children who are unaccompanied homeless youth.
• Children who are “awaiting foster care placement.”