Are students displaced by a disaster covered by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act?
Yes. Students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence due to disaster (earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood, chemical explosion, terrorist attack, etc.) are considered homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act. McKinney-Vento does not consider the income of a family – only the living situation. Displaced students are entitled to the same legal protections and services as other students experiencing homelessness. A family with financial means may not need the same services as families with limited financial means, but they have the right to remain in the school of origin. Other services would be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the needs of each student.
