Homeless Could Get Free State ID Card

AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) - Homeless people face many barriers to getting back on their feet. Austin Democratic State Senator Kirk Watson says the lack of a photo ID shouldn't be one of them.

Watson has filed a bill that would waive the Texas Department of Public Safety Photo ID card fee for 10,000 homeless people across the state over the next two year.

The current fee for a state-issued identification card is $16 for 6 years.

Watson says without one there isn't much these people can do. "Many of the Texans facing homelessness are unable to access certain social services and things like permanent housing or meaningful employment, because they can't afford the cost of identification."

Watson says if the program works and more homeless people get off the streets it will help shrink the cost of social services.