Photo identification is a necessity in modern daily life.  Many homeless persons, however, lack photo identification because of the difficulty of maintaining important documents while homeless. 

Homeless persons who attempt to acquire a photo ID frequently experience tremendous obstacles.  Many cannot obtain an ID because they cannot prove "residency" in their state due to lack of a physical address.  Others simply cannot afford the cost of an ID.  In yet other cases, homeless people who have lost all documentation cannot get a birth certificate without an ID, but cannot get an ID without a birth certificate.

Without a photo ID, homeless persons often find that they cannot successfully move out of homelessness and toward self-sufficiency.  They cannot get lawful employment or receive basic social services.  They are denied access to clothing closets, shelters, food pantries, and certain public benefits, all of which help move people out of poverty.  Restrictive state laws prevent them from getting an ID, but the very lack of ID exacerbates and perpetuates their homelessness.  It is therefore critical that homeless and other low-income people are able to obtain identification
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