Homeless Assistance
Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was established in 1987 and amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. The Act defines the term “homeless children and youths” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night time residence.
The federal mandate ensures that homeless children and youth have access to the same free and appropriate public education as other children. Children who are homeless may qualify for assistance with school lunch, school supplies, tutoring and transportation so that they can remain in their school of origin.
Pittsburgh Public Schools Board Policy: Homeless Students
Department of Education: Education for Homeless Youth
If you believe that your child may qualify for this service, please contact:
Lisa Arnett- McKinney Vento Program Assistant
(412) 529-5889
larnett1@pghschools.org
If you are ready to complete an application, please visit www.pghschools.org/mckinneyvento
Students experiencing homelessness, and youth who have been adjudicated or are involved in the juvenile justice system often attend multiple schools in a year. These students who experience such "education instability" face barriers to high school graduation due to lost or unrecognized credits or a student's inability to take a course required by their last school.
In January, the General Assembly enacted Act 1 of 2022 (Act 1) (24 P.S. § 13-1331.1) to remove educational and graduation barriers for students who move between school entities due to homelessness, adjudication, foster care, and juvenile justice or court-ordered placements. Act 1 requires school entities assign a point of contact, adopt clear policies and practices to apply credit for satisfactorily completed coursework, and develop a graduation plan for students experiencing education instability. Act 1 also includes protections to facilitate equal access to school, including participation in extracurricular opportunities.
Click to Read Act 1 of 2022 – Assisting Students Experiencing Education Instability
Parent Resources
General Guide
A General Guide to Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program
What You Need to Know to Help Your Child in School: A Guide for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers
If your family is in a temporary or inadequate living situation due to a loss of housing, your child might be eligible for certain educational rights and services.
What You Need to Know to Help Your Child in School: A Guide for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers (Spanish)
If your family is in a temporary or inadequate living situation due to a loss of housing, your child might be eligible for certain educational rights and services.
Helplines
HUD Housing Counseling Referral Service: 1-800-569-4287
HUD sponsors approved housing counseling agencies that provide housing counseling services to citizens for free. Call 1-800-569-4287 to find a counselor that serves your neighborhood.
HUD Housing Discrimination Hotline: 1-800-669-9777
Call this helpline for information on filing a complaint about housing discrimination. HUD handles complaints in the areas of housing discrimination, bad landlords in federal housing, manufactured housing, land sales, deceptive contractors, and fraud, waste, or abuse in HUD programs.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
This hotline provides crisis intervention, information about domestic violence and referrals to local service providers to victims of domestic violence and those calling on their behalf.
National Runaway Safeline: 1-800-786-2929
The National Runaway Switchboard (NRS) helpline gives help and hope to youth and their families by providing non-judgmental, confidential crisis intervention and local and national referrals 24 hours a day.
Other Resources
Allegheny County Homeless Services
Allegheny County offers a wide array of housing options and services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including: emergency shelter, permanent housing and supportive services; street outreach, engagement and case management; and prevention strategies.
Big Burgh
A quick and easy resource to finds free services that can help the homeless and those at risk of being homeless in the City of Pittsburgh. Mobile optimized!
NeedHelpPayingBills.com
Several different non-profit agencies work with the Bureau of Homeless Services to prevent and reverse homelessness in Allegheny County. They offer a number of potential solutions to tenants and anyone that is currently homeless in the county or the city of Pittsburgh.
PA 2-1-1 Southwest
Dial 2-1-1 as an easy-to-remember telephone number or search their database as a web resource. Find health and human services for everyday needs and crisis situations.