Social Return on Investment

Homelessness is expensive but solving it doesn’t have to be!

At The Homeless ID Project, every document we provide is more than identification. It’s a gateway to employment, housing, healthcare and stability.

Measured Impact

An independent evaluation conducted by Arizona State University confirms that access to identification creates immediate, measurable progress toward stability.

The results among the clients studied:

10% Secured Housing

Obtained shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing or stayed with family.

15% Obtained Income

Gained employment or enrolled in benefits such as SNAP or SSI.

20% Engaged in Progress towards stability

Took meaningful steps towards both housing and employment

Many more began taking the required steps toward housing, employment and recovery.

Clients consistently described identification as the turning point:

“The ID is your key everywhere.”

 

Source: ASU Watts College, Action Nexus on Housing and Homelessness. Homeless ID Project Evaluation Report April 2026

Impact Happens Quickly and Grows Over Time

The ASU study captured outcomes within a short timeframe.  However, most individuals require 3–6 months to secure employment and housing.

That means:

The 10% housing outcome reflects early success

The 15% income outcome represents initial progress

Many additional clients continue advancing toward stability after the 2 month study period

In other words: the true impact of an ID continues to grow over time.

Economic Impact on Our Community

Even using conservative assumptions based on measured outcomes, the impact is extraordinary.

The estimated cost of homelessness is $30,000 per person per year (USICH)

In 2025, Homeless ID Project provided 14,907 documents

The ASU study measured outcomes within approximately two months.  However, most individuals require 3–6 months to secure employment and housing.

That means our figure reflects early success, not total success.

Assuming an overall success rate of 20%:

2,981

People would be impacted

$89.4 Million

Saved in community costs

$146

Returned for every $1 invested

The Upside of Continued Impact

Even small increases in success rates create exponential returns for our community.

As more individuals secure employment and housing in the months following ID access, the total community savings continues to increase, making this one of the most efficient and scalable interventions for addressing homelessness.