Homelessness

Title IX-A: Homeless Children & Youths ensures that students who lack a fixed and regular nighttime residence are provided a free, public education. This program was originally authorized in 1987 under Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. It was most recently reauthorized as Title IX-A of The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) on December 10, 2015.

Title IX-A of The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

The Act ensures the educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness and includes:

  • The right to immediate enrollment in school even without giving a permanent address.
  • The right to attend school in the school of origin (if requested and is feasible), or in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing.
  • The right to receive transportation to the school of origin.
  • The right to services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates.
  • The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness.
  • The posting of homeless student rights in all schools and other places around the community.

Pine Belt Coalition for the Homeless meets monthly at designated locations .

For additional information, contact:

Amy Lyon, MS, NCC

Program Coordinator,

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

4507 US Highway 49 South

Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Phone: 601-545-3668

Fax: 601-545-2926

The Richton School District contact for homelessness is the federal programs director.

601-788-5908