On July 22, 1987, the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act became public law. This was the first comprehensive federal law dealing with the problems of homelessness in America. Recently included in the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, it is now called the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001.

The Education for Homeless Children and Youths (EHCY) program, authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act), is designed to address the needs of homeless children and youths and ensure educational rights and protections for these children and youths. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) amended the McKinney-Vento Act, and changes made by the ESSA will take effect on October 1, 2016.

The U.S. Department of Education has released the following:

• Non-Regulatory Guidance - Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program(PDF)
• Fact Sheet (PDF)

Below are additional resources pertaining to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act:

• Free Lunch Procedures for Migrant, Homeless, and Runaway Children and Youth Procedures
• McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
• The 145 Most Frequently Asked Questions on the Education Rights of Children and Youth in Homeless Situations(PDF)