Having access to housing, employment, banking, benefits, and other critical services in DC requires an ID, and yet many of our unhoused neighbors and returning citizens cannot easily get an ID due to challenges proving their DC residence. We urge the DC Department of Human Services and Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure all residents can obtain a DC ID by adopting the following recommendations:

1. Make the form available all the time at the address of all qualified providers.

2. Ensure availability of the form at access points that align with an individual’s identity (e.g., femme people can go to a women’s facility).

3. Introduce a new physical form that costs only the paper and ink used in its production, move to an online process, or both.

4. Put a feature on the form to indicate if the applicant qualifies for a free ID.

DHS and DMV, please STOP creating unnecessary barriers for unhoused and housing-insecure residents.