Homeless ID Project expands into new, bigger space near downtown Phoenix
KJZZ | By Kirsten Dorman
Published October 28, 2024 at 9:07 AM MST
A Phoenix-based nonprofit that helps thousands of people obtain and keep a state-issued ID, which can mark the start of someone getting back on their feet, is expanding into a new space.
After opening its “tele-MVD” office over a year ago, the Homeless ID Project moved into a bigger location on the same property near downtown Phoenix last week.
Rick Mitchell with the nonprofit said the new space on Key Campus, where thousands of people experiencing homelessness access services every day, reflects their growth as demand remains high
“Our clients are much more comfortable in our new environment waiting to get into the MVD kiosk in our office,” said Mitchell. “Our volunteers, many of them have commented on how they’re able to interact with the clients more and really get a great volunteer experience without all the frantic activity that occurred in the old environment.”
They got more than 15,000 IDs to people over the last year.
“In our smaller space, 15,622 — that’s the number of state IDs and birth certificates we did last year, which is an outrageous number,” Mitchell said. “So it’s hard to imagine getting larger than that, but I know the demand is there.”
And with the upcoming election, he said that it’s more important than ever to keep in mind how much an ID can do for someone.
Most of the people who come to the Homeless ID Project to get an identification document need an ID to eat.
Rick Mitchell
“Most of the people who come to the Homeless ID Project to get an identification document need an ID to eat,” said Mitchell. “You know, voting for people who are really looking to get started again is maybe something that they haven’t considered yet.”
Mitchell said a $12 fee often stands between people and a state ID, but efforts to advocate for legislation that would waive it have seen pushback at the state capitol based on how they might vote.
“Homelessness happens to people of all political stripes,” he said. “And I believe that if you talk to our clients and ask them how they would vote, if they had an ID and could vote, you would find that they would reflect the general population.”
Overall, Mitchell said the bigger space has been calmer and more efficient. And if trends continue, he said they might reach 20,000 IDs by next year.