Eligibility

Who is eligible for services?

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act was originally authorized in 1987 and most recently re-authorized in December 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).  The federal legislation ensures children and youth experiencing homelessness have immediate and equal access to public education.  The Act makes certain provisions available for homeless (i.e. unhoused) students, and defines homelessness as lacking "a fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residence.”  A student is considered homeless if he/she lacks any one of these three and lives…

• in a shelter                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
• in a motel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
• in a car, park, bus station, or other public space                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
• in a campground or substandard house or trailer (no utilities, open to outside elements, pest infestation)                                                                                                                                                                              
• doubled-up with another family on a temporary basis due to loss of housing                                                                                                                                                                                                          
• as a youth unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian

State Law - Texas Education Code

All Texas public schools, charter schools, and education service center (known as local education agencies, i.e. LEAs), must follow federal rules concerning the education of homeless students.  Texas Education Code (TEC) address educational rights for homeless students. 

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