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Oregon

McKinney-Vento Support for Oregon School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison in Oregon, you likely manage various responsibilities within your district. With 197 school districts serving students from Portland to rural communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible.

Oregon
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The Challenge in Oregon

Oregon presents a diverse and challenging landscape for addressing student homelessness, with fast-growing urban centers and varied rural and coastal communities. The state faces a housing supply crisis, with rental costs outpacing wages and increasing homelessness.

21,871 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was over 550k; Oregon's identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 4.0%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across Oregon, profoundly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students amidst a statewide housing supply crisis.
 
  • Many students experience homelessness by living doubled-up due to economic hardship. In the 2022-2023 school year, 71% of identified homeless students were living in such situations.
  • In urban areas, exceptionally tight housing markets, high costs, and limited supply lead to visible homelessness, with students often residing in shelters, motels, or transitional housing.
  • Rural communities also face significant housing supply issues, where homelessness is often "hidden" (e.g., couch surfing, living in vehicles) due to vast distances and a lack of formal services or shelters.
  • Oregon's coastal communities face unique challenges: High demand from tourism and second-home buyers inflates property values and reduces year-round rental availability, making housing unaffordable for local workers.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across Oregon contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students, a persistent barrier across all community types.
 
  • In urban centers, like Portland, Salem, and Bend, challenges include the expense of public transit, navigating complex transportation networks, and managing long commutes to maintain school stability when temporary housing is distant from school. Schools also struggle with funding for transportation.
  • In rural areas, the primary obstacles are the severe lack of public transportation options and vast distances between temporary residences and schools. Reliance on limited school bus routes or the absence of city systems compounds barriers to consistent school attendance, often requiring school districts to seek creative solutions.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3  Oregon identified 4% during the 2022-2023 school year, above the national average.

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How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Oregon Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

We help you meet federal regulations with up-to-date checklists, policy templates, and annual audit preparation tailored for Oregon schools.

Enhanced Identification: Your "Army of Awareness"

Custom training materials and awareness campaigns adapted for rural and urban districts help staff recognize housing insecurity early.

Comprehensive Training

Live webinars and on-demand modules-covering trauma-informed practices, transportation logistics, and rural outreach-available year round.

Data Management and Funding Support

Tools to track students, manage eligibility, and access local/federal funding (e.g., Title I, II) help boost resource allocation.

Expert Guidance and Advocacy Support

Subject Matter Experts with many years of McKinney-Vento implementation are ready to provide support on challenging cases, work through situations and help you connect with resources to support your work.
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Success with McKinney-Vento.org

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Featured

“ As I changed school districts this last year, I have become more aware of the homelessness in the school systems. I have moved to a district with many newcomers and most have come with out parents or guardians. This information is very helpful. I am going to pay more attention to situations and help when needed. ”

Cynthia J.

Oregon

Why Oregon Districts Choose McKinney-Vento.org

check-mark McKinney-Vento Expertise

McKinney-Vento.org delivers specialized training and compliance tools for identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness under federal education law.

 

check-mark Proven Results Since 2014

Our track record speaks for itself – from small rural districts to large urban systems, we've consistently delivered measurable improvements in homeless student support and educational stability.

 

check-mark The Only Turnkey Solution Available

Stop piecing together incomplete solutions. We provide the industry's only comprehensive, turnkey McKinney-Vento implementation system designed specifically for today's educational environment.

State Coordinator Contact

Lexi Neemann, Statewide Coordinator for Homeless and Unaccompanied Youth
Phone: (971) 208-1777

Citations

1,2,3 Child and Youth Homelessness Data Profiles powered by University of Michigan Poverty Solutions and SHC
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/schoolhouseconnection/viz/ChildandYouthHomelessnessDataProfiles/National 

Ready to Better Support Oregon's Homeless Students?

Join the Oregon districts using McKinney-Vento.org to improve outcomes for students experiencing homelessness.

We'll help you find the funding and build internal support to make this program successful in your district.

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