New York State Education Department Awards $8.1 Million in Federal Grants to Programs Supporting Homeless Students
Funding Will Support Approximately 137,000 Students Across the State
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) awarded more than $8 million in grants authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. The grants, awarded as a component of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), will impact 66 school districts and five char ter schools. Thirty-two total awards were granted, with seven going to district- or BOCES-led consortiums.
Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, “Children experiencing housing insecurity bear challenges through no fault of their own, yet these hardships too often create barriers that negatively affect their educational journey. Every student deserves equitable access to excellence in learning, and it is imperative that we provide them with every opportunity to thrive despite adversity. These grants help close critical gaps for students who need additional support due to their living circumstances, safe guarding their right to a free and appropriate public education in New York State.”
Commissioner Rosa said, “Education is one of the most powerful drivers of upward mobility, and students experiencing homelessness must not be denied opportunity because of circumstances beyond their control. No child should receive a substandard education because of where they sleep at night, and it is our moral imperative to ensure every student across the state has the support necessary to succeed. These grants deliver meaningful resources to sup port and uplift students, while equipping schools with additional tools to serve children in need.”
The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Education of Home less Children and Youth Act is to ensure that all homeless children have equal access to the same free appropriate pub lic education, including public preschool education, provided to those who are permanently housed. The program provides funds to school districts to develop and implement strategies that “facilitate the enrollment, attendance and success in school of homeless children and youth,” which includes students’ basic, academic and unique needs. Funds can be used for educational services (including tutoring); expedited evaluations; awareness training; health services; excess cost of transportation; early childhood programs; record keeping; parent programs; coordinating services; violence prevention; providing supplies, services and learning environments at shelters and other temporary housing facilities.
The McKinney-Vento Sub grant Program award amounts are dependent upon the three-year average number of students in temporary housing identified for each Local Education Agency (LEA) or consortium:
100-500 students identified – up to $175,000 per year
501-1,000 students identified – up to $225,000 per year
1,001-50,000 students identified – up to $300,000 per year
> 50,000 students identified – up to $2.5 million per year
The grant period is September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2028, with funding for Years 2 and 3 to be awarded at the same level as Year 1.