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Housing Assistance

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures that students experiencing housing instability or homelessness have the right to immediate school enrollment, transportation, and access to educational services—even without typical residency documents.

Who Qualifies for Assistance?

A student is considered homeless under McKinney-Vento if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes:

  • Living in motels, shelters, or transitional housing.
  • Sharing housing due to economic hardship or eviction.
  • Staying in cars, parks, public spaces, or abandoned buildings.
  • Unaccompanied youth without a legal guardian.

Rights & Services for Eligible Students

  • Students experiencing homelessness have the right to:
  • Immediate enrollment in school, even without required documents.
  • Stay in their school of origin and receive transportation assistance.
  • Free school meals, academic support, and extracurricular participation.
  • Access to school supplies, counseling, and other critical services.

Local & State Resources

Families and students experiencing housing instability can reach out to these resources for additional support:

  • Vermont 2-1-1 – Dial 2-1-1 for statewide housing and emergency resources.
  • Vermont Economic Services – (800) 479-6151 | www.dcf.vt.gov
  • Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA) – (802) 722-4575 | www.sevca.org
  • Parks Place Community Resource Center (Bellows Falls) – (802) 463-9927 | www.parksplacevermont.com
  • Springfield Supported Housing Programs – (802) 885-3034 | sshpvt.org – Located at Parks Place and available every Wednesday morning.
  • Groundworks Shelter (Brattleboro) – (802) 257-0066 | www.groundworksvt.org
  • Interaction Youth Services & Restorative Practices - A Place to Sleep Tonight (Ages 12-23) – (866) 888-4498
  • Our Place – Community Food Center (Bellows Falls) – (802) 463-2217 | https://www.ourplacevermont.org/

  • Greater Falls Connections – 802-463-9927 | https://www.greaterfallsconnections.com/

  • Housing & Homeless Alliance of VT – VT Emergency Shelter – 802-658-1996

Enrollment & Dispute Resolution

If a student or family disagrees with an enrollment decision, they have the right to immediate enrollment while the dispute is resolved.
View WNESU's Enrollment & Dispute Resolution Policy 

Contact for McKinney-Vento Support

If you believe your student qualifies for McKinney-Vento services, please reach to Amy Newton, McKinney-Vento Liaison:

Make a Referral for Student Support

If you are a WNESU staff member and have identified a student who may be experiencing housing insecurity, please use the referral form below to connect them with the WNESU McKinney-Vento Liaison.

More Information

For more details, visit:

McKinney-Vento Liaison

Amy Newton

McKinney-Vento & Home to School Liaison
School: 802-289-9458