Homeless Definition
Who is considered homeless?
Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds 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 due to lack of an adequate alternative
- In a car, park, public place, bus or train station, or abandoned building
- Doubled up with relatives or friends due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
- In the above conditions and is a migratory child or youth
- Further descriptions of nighttime residence
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.
Eligibility updates for unaccompanied youth
On December 13, 2019, Superintendents Memo 283-19 was released with information about eligibility is viewed for McKinney-Vento services for youth not living with their parents. This memo indicates that students who move in with a friend or relative because of a CPS safety plan or other planned circumstance should not be considered to meet eligibility criteria for McKinney-Vento. For additional information, please see the following:
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
Interview with Dr. Popp:
How Project HOPE has helped students experiencing homelessness-Video
How do we define students experiencing homelessness?-Video
How does homelessness affect students?-Video
How to identify students experiencing homelessness-Video
Why do we have students experiencing homelessness?-Video
How many students are experiencing homelessness?-Video
Additional Information:
Confirming Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Rights and Services
Serving Students Experiencing Homelessness under Title I, Part A
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.
