At the Homeless ID Project, we believe identification is the first step toward stability. Every day, we meet individuals who are ready to rebuild their lives but are held back by one barrier: the lack of identification.
We work closely with partners, donors, volunteers, and community organizations to remove these barriers for people experiencing homelessness.
If you’re new to the Homeless ID Project, this page will help you understand what we do, who we help, and why identification is such a critical first step toward rebuilding a life. Explore the answers to our most frequently asked questions below to learn how our services work and how you can support this mission.
The Homeless ID Project helps people experiencing homelessness obtain IDs and birth certificates. These important documents are the first step towards jobs, housing, and stability.
➡️ Learn how we remove barriers to identification → https://www.homelessidproject.org/
A valid ID is required for employment, housing, healthcare, and other vital services (source: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9). Without identification, people remain locked out of opportunities to rebuild their lives.
➡️ See why identification is essential → https://www.homelessidproject.org/the-importance-of-having-two-forms-of-id-in-arizona-a-key-to-employment-and-housing-opportunities/
Homelessness has many causes: domestic violence, job loss, rising rents, or medical and mental health challenges (source: https://endhomelessness.org/overview/). A missing ID is often what keeps people from getting help or employment.
➡️ Explore the root causes and how we help break the cycle → https://www.homelessidproject.org/how-do-people-become-homeless-understanding-the-causes-of-homelessness/
Solving homelessness requires both compassion and practical solutions. Ids are critically important for ending homelessness because they are vital for accessing jobs, housing and other vital services (source: https://homelesslaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Photo-ID-Barriers-Faced-by-Homeless-Persons-2004.pdf). Supporting organizations like the Homeless ID Project removes one of the biggest barriers identification, helping people get jobs and housing.
➡️ See how your support creates solutions → https://www.homelessidproject.org/success-stories/
No. Our services are 100% funded by our generous donors, sponsors, and the community, not by government funding.
➡️ See how your donation directly helps people rebuild → https://www.homelessidproject.org/donate/
Through our partnership with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division, clients can use an on-campus “TeleMVD” station to connect virtually with MVD staff and obtain their IDs — no travel required (source: https://azdot.gov/news/adot-homeless-id-project-join-forces-human-services-campus)
All services are provided at no cost to clients. The costs of documents are fully covered by donors and sponsors.
➡️ Help fund an ID for someone in need → https://www.homelessidproject.org/donate/
The Arizona Charitable Tax Credit allows you to redirect a portion of your state taxes to qualifying charitable organization like The Homeless ID Project.
- The maximum QCO credit donation amount for 2025: $495 single, married filing separate or head of household; $987 married filing joint.
- The maximum QCO credit donation amount for 2026: $506 single, married filing separate or head of household; $1,009 married filing joint.
(source: https://azdor.gov/tax-credits/credits-contributions-qcos-and-qfcos)
➡️ Learn how to turn your taxes into hope → https://www.homelessidproject.org/arizona-charitable-tax-credit/
Yes. You can claim the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit on your state return and still deduct the same donation on your federal taxes if you itemize.
➡️ See how your gift benefits both you and our clients → https://www.homelessidproject.org/arizona-charitable-tax-credit/
In 2024, we provided 17,644 identification services — all free to clients and funded by donors like you.
➡️ See our impact in action → https://www.homelessidproject.org/impact-report-homeless-id-project/
Clients can have their IDs and birth certificates securely mailed to the on-campus post office, where they can retrieve them safely, even without a home address.
We focus on solving one critical barrier: lack of identification. By addressing this first step, we make it possible for people to access jobs, housing, and healthcare. We work with over 60 partners in Phoenix & Tucson, meeting people where they are at and, through our generous sponsors and donors, we are able to pay for these services on behalf of our clients.
➡️ See why “Help Starts Here” → https://www.homelessidproject.org/about/
You can donate, become a sponsor, or volunteer your time. Every contribution helps someone take their first step out of homelessness.
➡️ Find your way to help → https://www.homelessidproject.org/i-want-to-help/
We serve individuals and families in Phoenix, Tucson, and across Arizona through partnerships with local organizations and shelters.
➡️ See how we serve communities statewide → https://www.homelessidproject.org/contact-us/
