The definition of homeless as a student in school and as an adult has one major difference that increases the amount of youth who can receive services. The distinction is defined by The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law designed to determine the requirements for students experiencing homelessness and how the Department of Housing and Urban Development defines homelessness.
Both definitions have the same basic understanding. They define homeless as “lacking a primary or fixed residence.” 12 The major difference is that the McKinney-Vento Act adds that sharing housing with others meets the definition of “homeless” for youth. Often referred to as being "doubled up", this means that even if a student sleeps at a family member's or a friend's house, they meet the definition because a direct or immediate family member is not housing them.