Homeless ID Project

The mission of the Homeless ID Project is to empower individuals and families to end their homelessness and rebuild their lives by providing the critical first step of identification replacement services.

At Homeless ID Project, we believe that a person's ability to get a piece of paper or plastic card should not be what stops them from ending their homelessness.

Founded in 1988, The Homeless ID Project's mission is to end homelessness by providing replacement identification services. This is the first step for many as they seek to end their homelessness and rebuild their lives. We are the only full-time provider of identification replacement services in Arizona.

People experiencing homelessness frequently carry any and all identification on their person, which commonly leads to its loss, damage, theft, or confiscation. Without identification the homeless remain homeless, the unemployed remain unemployed, those suffering with physical or mental illness remain unassisted, and children remain truant. Identification is vital to ending homelessness!

With your help in 2022 the Homeless ID Project served more than 15,000 individuals and provided a total of 12,143 documents. These individuals and families were in need of, but unable to access multiple services due to lack of identification as follows: 50% needed access to housing programs; 21% needed to obtain employment, 16% needed to acquire SNAP assistance, 14% needed to sign up for AHCCS or receive medical attention, and 12% needed identification in order to sign up for school.

Testimonials

Larissa was one of more than 40,000 people evicted from their homes in Maricopa county last year. Suffering from anxiety, depression and PTSD, Larissa found the counseling she needed from a sober living home that gave her the strength she needed to pursue her independence. Homeless ID Project helped Larissa to obtain this ID card and a birth certificate so that she can move forward, and has given her the reassurance that she is "not an inconvenience".

Stephen came all the way to Arizona to support his daughter who received a scholarship to attend ASU. He found his way from Ohio by riding buses, hitchhiking or walking. After having his backpack stolen at a bus stop, he was left without identification. Homeless ID Project provided Stephen with the critical first step to ending his homelessness: a new ID!

Randell came to Homeless ID Project in need of an ID after most of his belongings were stolen. As is often the case, Randell did not have a prior Arizona State ID and so we needed to start with a birth certificate. Once the birth certificate was received and the ID issued he was able to find employment through our campus partner, St. Joseph the Worker. Randell encourages anyone in his position to come to the campus to get the help needed to end your homelessness. And be sure to tell others once you do as too few people in need of services are aware of all that can be done with a visit to Homeless ID Project and the campus! Randell was so inspired the help he received that he brought a friend to see us. With Randell's help, his friend is on the path to ending his own homelessness! Randell, thank you for helping to demonstrate the power of what we do!