Project Homeless Connect is an innovative, one-day event that takes place in 220 communities. The event connects people who are homeless to services, housing and other community resources. This article features Norfolk, VA and San Francisco, CA for their innovative approaches to helping people obtain personal identification during Project Homeless Connect events.

San Francisco, CA is the birthplace of Project Homeless Connect. This innovative project started in 2004 and has been replicated in 220 communities around the country – and globe. Mayor Gavin Newsom initiated the project almost five years ago after recognizing that homelessness was San Francisco’s number one concern.

Judith Klein, San Francisco Project Homeless Connect Director, describes the project as a tipping point. “We were amazed that 500 people showed up for the first Project Homeless Connect event in San Francisco,” says Judith. Since then, they have connected 27,000 people to essential services. Results from their volunteer navigator program show a 75% to 90% success rate. This program pairs volunteers with participants after the one-day event.

While Project Homeless Connect events vary in size, activities and frequency, the goal is the same—to provide the opportunity to build community connections between public and private organizations and neighbors who are homeless. These connections are made through critical services such as physical health, mental health, and housing to haircuts, food, legal counsel, food stamp programs and personal identification (ID).

Project Homeless Connect events are ripe for innovation. As an example, people who are homeless often end up without any ID such as a driver’s license or social security card. This can create additional barriers to services and safety, and take away personal dignity. But two cities have found creative ways to help participants with this problem..

In Norfolk, VA, over 50% of Project Homeless Connect participants had no form of ID. In response to this problem, volunteers confirm someone’s identity using existing data from food stamp and corrections records. At the end of the day, participants can leave with a city-sponsored photo ID that will be accepted for employment assistance and is valid for two years.

In San Francisco, individuals who have their birth certificates can register for photo ID’s. For those without birth certificates, volunteers help them to register for new ones. As a result, people can get a free photo ID through the Department of Motor Vehicles, to be picked up two weeks after the event. Event organizers have negotiated fee reductions and received funding for this project to cover all costs.

Got a Project Homeless Connect event coming up in your community? We want to know! Email generalinquiry@center4si.com to share stories, photos or resources.

Get the US Interagency Council on Homelessness toolkit and other resources here.