CBS 2 KUTV - Mass DMV appointments for the unsheltered are a leap toward stability
- Harrison Smith
- Mar 2, 2022
- 2 min read
Published: March 2, 2022
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KUTV) — The homeless in Utah face many challenges, but one hurdle keeping some from permanent housing and employment is a lack of state ID.
The Salt Lake City group, Nomad Alliance, is the first to offer a mass DMV appointment for the unsheltered, which is great step toward stability.
“You're nobody without your ID,” said William Bloomfield.
Bloomfield's wallet was stolen six months ago.
"And I had an interview for this job the next day,” he said.
Without his ID, he couldn't be hired for the job. He eventually lost his apartment and has been living in a tent. But that changed when the Nomad Alliance came though his camp asking if anyone needed help getting an ID.
The Salt Lake City group, Nomad Alliance, is the first to offer a mass DMV appointment for the unsheltered, which is great step toward stability. (KUTV)
"When your life is hell, and there's an emergency every day, an ID is one of the last things you really think about,” said Kseniya Kniazeva, the Executive Director of the Nomad Alliance.
Along with the mass DMV appointments, the group also holds supply drives every two weeks. Not only providing food, clothes, and tents, but also music and crafts.
"We want to end homelessness,” she said.
The DMV appointment day started with breakfast in the camps. They cooked eggs, bacon and had coffee and donuts for anyone who wanted some. Then Nomad Alliance provides rides to and from the DMV, as well as free vouchers for the IDs.
Within an hour they have an ID and doors are opened. They can get jobs, housing, apply for stimulus checks, or got to a shelter or food bank.
The Salt Lake City group, Nomad Alliance, is the first to offer a mass DMV appointment for the unsheltered, which is great step toward stability. (KUTV)
"It's just a really really effective way to get people a head start and getting out of this mess that is the streets,” said Kniazeva.
Bloomfield said he still has that job waiting for him, and now with an ID he will be able to get a new apartment.
"I'll be able to get my life back,” he said.
He said he is grateful for anyone who donates or volunteers with the Noam Alliance.
"I really appreciate it, and it won't be in vain."
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