A new state program that offers free official identification cards to homeless people is aimed at breaking down barriers between the homeless and the services they need.

The program was announced Thursday by state Secretary of Transportation Yassmin Gramian at a virtual news conference.

Amber Crowe, director of Catholic Charities in Butler, said about 30% of the homeless people she processes at her office do not have a PennDOT ID or driver's license.

She said many lost their IDs during multiple moves, were robbed or had their things stolen, or had to flee their homes due to danger and could not grab their wallet or ID.

“This is awesome,” Crowe said of the free PennDOT ID program.

She said without ID, homeless individuals and families cannot apply for housing support at many agencies, as most funding streams for those programs require identification.

She said she processes about 150 people who are homeless or at-risk for homelessness each month, which is double the 70 to 80 last year. Crowe said the reason for the uptick in homelessness in Butler is likely the coronavirus pandemic.

Gramian said the homeless who meet state criteria can get or renew their ID at any driver's license center statewide.

Those requesting the free IDs must have one proof of identification, such as a letter from Social Security Administration, with an address.

A letter from a homeless shelter or facility stating the person lives or picks up their mail there will also be accepted, Gramian said.

She said the new program does not apply to driver's licenses or duplicate ID cards.

Teresa Miller, the state Human Services secretary, agreed with Gramian that having an ID will allow homeless Pennsylvanians to access basic services for sustaining life.

“What we are facing now is exactly why these programs exist,” Miller said.

Amy Hirsch, managing attorney for Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, said not having an official ID is a huge barrier for homeless people.

“Not having ID makes everything you need to do to move forward that much harder,” Hirsch said.

She said while $30 to get an ID may be a paltry sum to many, it represents 4.5 days of basic food or four hours of pay at the minimum wage for the homeless.

“Getting an ID can really help them stabilize their lives for themselves and their children,” Hirsch said.

Kurt Myers, PennDOT's deputy secretary of driver and vehicle services, said about 30 individuals have already taken advantage of the program since it began Jan. 25.