I have a question about eligibility in doubled-up situations, when a mom moves in with a boyfriend. Eligibility is clear when one partner was evicted, so they moved in with the other partner. However, what guidance can you provide when one partner moves in with the other, and both are contributing somewhat to the household. In this case, would we identify the students under McKinney-Vento?

A: Every situation needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. There are questions you’ll want to consider when thinking about the situation you described: Was there a loss of housing? Are they sharing housing due to financial hardship? Are they both on the lease and can they come and go as they please? What’s the long-term plan? Where would they go if they couldn’t stay there?
If both partners decide to live together for mutual benefit, or because they are in a relationship and want to live together, then it is not a homeless situation. If one partner moves in out of necessity – she has nowhere else to go, trying to find a place but can’t, etc. – then it would likely be a doubled-up situation under McKinney-Vento.

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