Who Is Homeless?

Title X, Part C of the No Child Left Behind Act defines homelessness as living in the following places due to a lack of a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

· In an emergency or transitional shelter
· In a motel, hotel, or campground
· In a car, park, public place, bus or train station, or abandoned building
· Doubled up with relatives or friends
· In the above conditions and is a migratory child or youth

This definition of homelessness applies to children and youth with:

· Uncertain housing
· A temporary address
· No permanent physical address

Children and youth living in these settings meet criteria for the McKinney-Vento definition
of homelessness and have special educational rights.

Where can a child or youth without a fixed, regular, and adequate residence attend school?

· The school the child or youth attended before becoming homeless or was last enrolled (school of origin)
· The school in the attendance area where the child or youth is currently living

How can delays be avoided when enrolling a student experiencing homelessness in school?

· Enroll the student immediately
· Contact the previous school and ask that the records be sent electronically or shared over the phone
· Contact the principal, school counselor, or local homeless education liaison with any concerns
· Contact the local homeless education liaison to support unaccompanied youth when enrolling in school

For more information on enrollment and services for students experiencing homelessness, contact Project HOPE-Virginia. or the local homeless education liaison for your school division.