NC 1500-2.18 Homeless Children

Plain English summary

This regulation defines 'homeless children' by incorporating the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act definition, covering individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. It enumerates seven specific living situations that qualify a child or youth as homeless, including shared housing due to hardship, temporary lodging, shelters, hospitals, non-residential spaces, vehicles or public settings, and migratory circumstances. The definition serves as a foundational term within NC special education administrative code.

Key requirements

• Homeless children have the meaning given the term homeless children and youths in section 725 (42 U.S.C. 11434a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence.
• Children and youths who are sharing housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason.
• Children and youths who are living in motels, hotels, temporary trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
• Children and youths who are living in emergency or transitional shelters.
• Children and youths who are abandoned in hospitals or awaiting foster care placement.
• Children and youths who have a primary night-time residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
• Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
• Migratory children (as defined by public school law) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described above.

Affected parties

• Homeless children and youths
• Migratory children
• Local education agencies (LEAs)
• School administrators
• Special education personnel
• Foster care-pending children
• Families experiencing housing instability

Official source

https://www.dpi.nc.gov/documents/publications/catalog/ec144-policies-governing-services/open#page=14