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Texas

McKinney-Vento Support for Texas School District Liaisons

We understand that as a McKinney-Vento liaison, you likely juggle multiple responsibilities within your district. Our mission is to help you become the most effective liaison possible while making your complex job more manageable.

Texas (1)
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The Challenge in Texas

Texas presents a dynamic and challenging landscape for addressing student homelessness, encompassing rapidly growing urban centers, vast rural areas, and coastal regions. The state is grappling with a severe and pervasive affordable housing crisis, with housing costs surging far beyond what many working families can bear.

114,536 students were identified in the 2022-2023 school year; total enrollment was around 5.52 million; Texas' identification rate for students experiencing homelessness was at 2.1%.1

Housing

A lack of safe, affordable, and stable housing is a pervasive struggle across Texas, significantly impacting educational access and stability for homeless students. Many renters in major metro areas are "cost-burdened," spending over 30% of their income on housing.
 
  • Many students experience homelessness by living in doubled-up situations with other families due to economic hardship or loss of housing. In the 2022-2023 school year, 76.2% of identified homeless students in Texas were living in doubled-up residences.2
  • In urban areas rapid population growth, rising land and construction costs, and restrictive zoning laws contribute to exceptionally high housing costs and severe affordability challenges. Homelessness is often highly visible here, with students residing in emergency shelters or transitional housing.
  • Rural communities across Texas are also impacted by the statewide housing affordability crisis, often compounded by fewer services and resources. Strict building and zoning regulations can hinder the development of needed affordable housing in these areas.

Transportation

Limited and costly transportation options across Texas contribute significantly to chronic absenteeism and difficulties in school attendance for homeless students. This is a persistent barrier in urban, suburban, and rural communities alike, with school districts federally mandated to remove such obstacles.
 
  • In urban centers like Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, challenges can include the expense of public transit, navigating complex and extensive transportation networks, and managing long commutes to maintain school stability, particularly for students whose temporary housing is far from their school of origin.
  • In rural areas, the primary obstacles are the 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 explore various solutions like gas vouchers or taxi services.
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Texas' Native American Student Homelessness

Native American students in Texas face disproportionate homelessness, creating unique educational challenges.

  • Hidden Homelessness: Cultural views of "home," historical mistrust, and stigma make identification difficult.
  • Rural/Reservation Barriers: Lack of shelters and limited services in these vast areas exacerbate the problem.
  • Culturally Responsive Support: Effective homeless education requires culturally competent outreach and strong tribal partnerships to build trust and provide meaningful assistance aligned with unique community needs.

The BIE Bureau of Indian Education and BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs coordinate efforts to ensure students in tribal communities have access to the educational supports and services they need.

Did you know?

The national average of children and youth identified as experiencing homelessness is 3% of students enrolled in public education.3 Texas identified 2.1% during the 2022-2023 school year, below the national average.

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How McKinney-Vento.org Supports Texas Liaisons

Streamlined Compliance

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

Texas

Why Texas 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

Desiree Viramontes, Homeless Children and Youth State Coordinator
Phone: (512) 463-9414

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 Texas' Homeless Students?

Join the growing number of districts in Texas already using McKinney-Vento.org to improve outcomes for students experiencing homelessness.

Or sign up for our Free Liaison Portal to access essential resources.

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

Book your personalized demo
Liaison Portal