What Is MCV?

Mckinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

Homelessness is often thought of as something that only happens to people with particular traits, habits, or economic standing, but it impacts people from all backgrounds. Consider the following: lack of affordable housing, job loss, serious illness/accident, natural disaster, significant life changes, child and youth abuse and domestic violence are among some of the reasons for a loss of housing

In January of 2002, Congress authorized the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to help people experiencing homelessness. The federal law includes the Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program that entitles children who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence to a free, appropriate education and requires schools to remove barriers to their enrollment, attendance and success in school. The McKinney-Vento Program meets the needs of homeless students attending Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools by addressing academic challenges and family issues affecting their success in school.

Who is eligible:

Examples of living situations that may qualify include, but are not limited to:

• Living with a friend, relative or other person/family because of a loss of housing

• Staying in a motel or hotel because of a loss of housing, fleeing domestic violence, or natural disaster

• Living in an emergency shelter, transitional housing or domestic violence shelter

• Living in a car, park or public place, abandoned building or bus station

• Living temporarily in substandard housing

• Living in a campground or an inadequate trailer home

• Living in a runaway or homeless youth shelter; run away youth

• Youth living on their own, even if their families want them to come home

https://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/supportservices/Pages/McKinney-Vento.aspx