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Homeless resident tells Provo council city services and DMV access worsen barriers to housing
Summary
A public commenter who identified as experiencing homelessness urged the council to address rules near the Food and Care Coalition and difficulties obtaining identification, saying those barriers hinder access to housing and services.
A member of Provo’s unhoused community, who gave his name as Lionheart, told the council July 22 that local service rules and limited DMV access increase barriers for people trying to secure housing and benefits.
“I am also a member of the population here in Provo that does not have a fixed address, that does not have a physical home,” Lionheart said. He described a city or provider rule at the Food and Care Coalition that requires clients to sign a contract forbidding them from being within a half mile of the facility before or after receiving services: “When I go to the Food and Care Coalition to receive any services, I have to sign a contract saying that I will not be within a half mile of that facility anytime before or after my services.”
Lionheart said access to identification is critical to moving out of homelessness and described travel and delay when seeking a driver’s license: “I had to go 7.4 miles to the closest driver's license office that took me 6 days in a wheelchair.” He told the council those requirements make it difficult to open bank accounts, rent housing or otherwise “move up in the world.”
Council leaders thanked Lionheart for his comment. No formal council action was taken during the open-comment period; the council moved on to scheduled agenda items after public comment closed.
