McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
About the Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was originally passed into law in 1987 and represented the first significant U.S. federal legislative response to homelessness. The Act authorizes assistance to people experiencing homelessness, including housing interventions and supportive services.
Subtitle VII-B, the education subtitle, establishes the definition of homeless used by U.S. public schools and authorizes rights and services to address the unique educational barriers and challenges faced by children and youth experiencing homelessness. The education subtitle was reauthorized most recently by Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Legislation
- View the full text of Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
- View the McKinney-Vento Definition of Homeless (legislative excerpt)
- View McKinney-Vento subgrant funding authorized activities (legislative excerpt)
Regulations and Guidance
- Download the Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program: Non-Regulatory Guidance
- Download the U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter on supporting immigrant students, including those experiencing homelessness (Sept 2023)