New York State Department of Education
03/10/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/10/2026 09:17
New York State Education Department Awards $8.1 Million in Federal Grants to Programs Supporting Homeless Students
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 charter 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, safeguarding 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 support and uplift students, while equipping schools with additional tools to serve children in need."
The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Act is to ensure that all homeless children have equal access to the same free appropriate public 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 Subgrant 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.
| Awardee | 1-Year Award | 3-Year Award |
| Auburn City SD | $174,400 | $523,200 |
| Binghamton City SD | $174,668 | $524,004 |
| East Ramapo CSD (Spring Valley) | $300,000 | $900,000 |
| Freeport UFSD | $175,000 | $525,000 |
| Fulton City SD | $175,000 | $525,000 |
| Geneva City SD | $161,000 | $483,000 |
| Indian River CSD | $174,998 | $524,994 |
| Liberty CSD | $175,000 | $525,000 |
| Longwood CSD | $175,000 | $525,000 |
|
Lyons CSD (Consortium)
|
$171,100 | $513,300 |
| Newburgh City SD | $225,000 | $675,000 |
|
North Rose-Wolcott CSD (Consortium)
|
$175,000 | $525,000 |
| North Syracuse CSD | $174,904 | $524,712 |
| NYC Chancellor's Office | $2,500,000 | $7,500,000 |
| Oswego City SD | $144,937 | $434,811 |
| Roosevelt UFSD | $168,000 | $504,000 |
| Saratoga Springs City SD | $164,000 | $492,000 |
| Schenectady City SD | $148,672 | $446,016 |
|
St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES #1 (Consortium)
|
$175,000 | $525,000 |
|
St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES #2 (Consortium)
|
$175,000 | $525,000 |
|
St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES #3 (Consortium)
|
$175,000 | $525,000 |
|
Storefront Academy CS (Consortium)
|
$175,000 | $525,000 |
| Syracuse City SD | $300,000 | $900,000 |
| Troy City SD | $175,000 | $525,000 |
| Union-Endicott CSD | $167,000 | $501,000 |
|
Urban Dove Team CS (Consortium)
|
$175,000 | $525,000 |
| Valley CSD (Montgomery) | $175,000 | $525,000 |
| Watertown City SD | $175,000 | $525,000 |
|
Watervliet City SD (Consortium)
|
$175,000 | $525,000 |
|
Westchester BOCES (Consortium)
|
$175,000 | $525,000 |
| White Plains City SD | $172,205 | $516,615 |
| Yonkers City SD | $225,000 | $675,000 |
| Totals | $8,170,884 | $24,512,652 |
New York State Department of Education published this content on March 10, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 10, 2026 at 15:17 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]