Miami-Dade County approves plan to launch Community ID program

Today, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s plan to launch a Community ID program in Miami-Dade County, following legislation sponsored by Commissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5, that was approved by the Board in June 2021.   

The non-profit organization Branches will run the Community ID program in Miami-Dade County, modeled after similar programs in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Branches was recognized to administer the program due to its years of experience and strong understanding of Community IDs and similar assistance programs for our residents. 

“I originally sponsored this issue when I was a Commissioner and I’m proud to see it finally become a reality as Mayor. This is a long-awaited solution for many of our residents who do not have an ID card that could make their lives easier on a daily basis,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Creating a community ID card not only gives access to basic services to residents who have been left out for not having a driver's license, but it also makes our community safer by fostering a better relationship between the police and the community.”  

The Community ID will be an accepted form of photo identification for select County services that can be life-changing for many Miami-Dade residents including seniors, survivors of domestic violence, formerly incarcerated or homeless individuals, foster youth, transgender individuals, and others lacking proper documentation. These residents often struggle to obtain a government-issued identification and therefore have difficulty proving who they are or are often barred from accessing basic government services.  

“A Community ID is a critical tool for our most vulnerable residents, not only to access Miami-Dade County services but also to give people a sense of belonging in our community,” said Commissioner Higgins. “The COVID-19 pandemic only highlighted the importance of this program, when residents were often required to provide identification for testing or a vaccine.”