ADOT Partnership Helps Homeless Individuals Obtain State-Issued IDs

ADOT's collaboration with the Homeless ID Project has enabled thousands of homeless individuals in Phoenix to secure vital identificationPhoto byImage: Tysonomo Multimedia

PHOENIX – A collaboration between the Arizona Department of Transportation's (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) and the Homeless ID Project has enabled more than 8,300 individuals to obtain state-issued IDs within its first year at the Keys to Change campus near downtown Phoenix, according to ADOT.

At the Keys to Change campus, 13,957 unduplicated homeless individuals were served during 2023. Nearly 9,813 of these individuals were connected to permanent housing through collective partner programs, and 1,988 were prevented from becoming homeless, according to the program’s website.

Nearly 6,600 clients facing instability or homelessness received replacement driver licenses or state IDs at the campus. Additionally, over 1,800 individuals were connected to services beyond the location, according to ADOT.

“The TeleMVD setup inside the Homeless ID Project offices is an exciting opportunity for MVD to use technology to provide services at places they are needed at the moment our customers need them,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen.

“With TeleMVD directly on site, we are excited to assist the Homeless ID Project with their community efforts helping those individuals’ experiencing homelessness.”

The campus is equipped with the necessary computer equipment, printer, scanner, and camera to operate as a TeleMVD office, according to ADOT, allowing customers to complete various vehicle and driver license services without needing to visit an MVD office.

Notably, the MVD initially provided on-site representatives but has since transitioned to a TeleMVD setup, offering live assistance through virtual means.

The MVD’s involvement enhances the efforts of the Homeless ID Project, which assists in providing essential documents, such as replacement birth certificates, at the Keys to Change campus, according to Homeless ID Project Executive Director Rick Mitchell.

“After one full year, our appreciation for this service remains high,” said Mitchell. “We are truly grateful to the Department. The partnership with ADOT/MVD has been a game changer in our efforts to help so many of our clients.”