Homeless Definition and Examples

Definition

Under the McKinney Vento Act, a child is homeless if he/she does not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

Examples of Homeless Situations

(as defined in the McKinney Vento Act)

1. Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason. Commonly called doubling-up.
2. Children and youth living in motels, hotels, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
3. Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters, abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement.
4. Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
5. Unaccompanied youths or runaways. Children in this situation can be described as couch surfers, chronically spending a few nights at one friend’s home then moving on to another.

NCHE Eligibility Flowchart

NCHE Determining Eligibility Brief