The McKinney-Vento Act ensures that children experiencing homelessness have access to the same free, appropriate public education as their permanently housed peers. The Act requires that state and local educational agencies remove any barriers that limit the ability of a student experiencing housing difficulties to enroll, attend and succeed in school.

All school-aged children have the right to attend school no matter where they live. The McKinney -Vento Act addresses the needs of students and families who lack "a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence" which includes children and families who live in the following situations:

• In a shelter, motel, vehicle or campground
• Doubled up with friends or relatives because you cannot find or afford housing
• On the street, or
• In an abandoned building, trailer, or other inadequate accommodations.