McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the Federal McKinney-Vento Act and Texas State Law guarantees that you can enroll your children in school, no matter what your living situation may be.

No, there is no specific time limit on homelessness. Due to the extremely limited incomes of most families experiencing homelessness (on average, less than half the federal poverty line) and the severe shortage of affordable housing across the country, experiences of homelessness can sometimes last an extended period of time. In fact, a federal court found that there is no maximum duration of homelessness (L.R. 2010).

Children in foster care and awaiting foster care placement do not qualify as McKinney-Vento eligible unless they meet other definitions provided under the McKinney-Vento Act [§11434A(2)(B)]. For more information contact your School District’s Foster Care Liaison.

Yes, immigrant students are covered by the McKinney-Vento Act if they are living in a homeless situation. Undocumented students have the same right to public education as U.S. citizens (Plyler, 1982). For more information contact your school Social Worker or Homeless Liaison.

The school district has no housing programs. Referrals can be made to state and local agency programs that offer that assistance, but certain criteria must be met. For more information contact your school Social Worker or Homeless Liaison.

Transportation to the school of origin for students experiencing homelessness can be provided upon request. For other transportation (as opposed to the school of origin), the McKinney-Vento Act requires districts to provide transportation comparable to that provided to housed students [42 U.S.C. §11432(g)(4)(A)]. For more information on transportation contact your school Social Worker or Homeless Liaison.