Students experiencing homelessness may be eligible for services through the McKinney-Vento Act. Eligibility for services is determined by a student’s living situation. Students are deemed eligible if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This would include:

• children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
• are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations
• are living in emergency or transitional shelters
• have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (living in a car, park, abandoned building, substandard housing, or similar setting).

Students who are eligible have the right to:

• Receive a free, appropriate public education.
• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
• Enroll in the local school; or continue attending the school of origin (the school the attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled.
• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin.

Do you need housing assistance? Here are some community resources that you may want to consider:

 Utah Community Action may be able provide temporary housing assistance and case management to individuals living in Salt Lake City.

Housing Authority of Salt Lake City provides rent subsidies and promote affordable housing for low-income persons residing in Salt Lake City. There typically is a waiting list for assistance.

Housing Connect (formally the Housing Authority of Salt Lake County) provides rent subsidies access to Section 8 housing vouchers.

Do you need emergency shelter?

Family Promise is a small program that assists families experiencing homelessness find lasting independence and security.

Connie Crosby Family Resource Center is an emergency shelter and will accept all families with children. In addition, they provide case management and re-housing supports.

YWCA Utah offers a comprehensive family violence service that includes safety, support, and meaningful opportunities to build violence-free lives. Additionally, they offer emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence. The crisis line number is 801-537-8600.

Advocacy Organizations:

School House Connection 

National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth 

               **Office Location