The recently passed House FY2026 funding bill brought deep cuts and eliminations to many education programs and initiatives, including Title I, Migrant Education, and English Language Acquisition. But there was one bright spot for vulnerable students: funding for the McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program remains in place at current 2025 levels.program remains in place at current 2025 levels.

This decision ensures that homeless liaisons, educators, and school districts will continue to have the support they need to serve the more than 1.2 million unhoused K-12 students across the United States. With student homelessness increasing year over year — including a 15% rise in unaccompanied youth since 2022 — maintaining this funding is essential for access, equity, and student success.

The Connectivity Challenge for Students Experiencing Homelessness

For homeless students, access to education is more than just classroom instruction. Many lack the tools, connectivity, and consistent communication channels they need to fully participate in school. From unstable housing situations to difficulties arranging transportation, these barriers can derail learning opportunities and lead to absenteeism.

Using McKinney-Vento Funds and Technology to Bridge the Gap

Thanks to programs funded by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, districts are finding innovative ways to support their most at-risk students. One powerful example comes from the use of MultiLine™ by Movius in partnership with T-Mobile for Business. Schools are providing unhoused students with tablets equipped with MultiLine, a mobility solution that enables secure calling and texting directly on the device via the T-Mobile 5G network.

With MultiLine, students can:

• Stay connected to school staff: Communicate with bus dispatchers to confirm pickup locations, ensuring better attendance for those without adequate or consistent nighttime residences.
• Participate in learning from anywhere: Access online classes on days they cannot physically attend.
• Maintain privacy and security: Use a dedicated school-managed number without relying on personal devices.

Why This Matters

For students experiencing homelessness, small adjustments in connectivity can have a big impact. Something as simple as being able to text a bus driver can make the difference between attending school or missing out. Reliable access to remote learning tools also helps keep students engaged during times of instability, directly supporting higher graduation rates.

Homelessness Resources

While overall education funding faces major challenges, the preservation of McKinney-Vento resources is an important win. By combining these funds with innovative mobile solutions like MultiLine, schools can provide at-risk students with the continuity and connection they need to succeed.

To learn more about bringing this connectivity to your classroom or school district through MultiLine, contact us here.