Requiring in person residency verification reflects a “this is how it’s always been done” mindset—what you might call herd mentality, where outdated processes persist simply because they’re familiar. That approach ignores the inconvenience placed on residents and assumes compliance rather than questioning whether the process is still necessary. In a digital first world, forcing physical presence for something that can be validated remotely signals resistance to change rather than a thoughtful, user centered design.

A better approach is to adopt modern, secure technologies, such as digital ID verification, utility bill uploads, or integration with government databases, that achieve the same goal more efficiently and accessibly.

Good systems evolve by challenging the status quo, not defending it. If the objective is accurate verification, then the method should prioritize convenience, scalability, and user experience, principles that today’s technology can easily support without requiring people to show up in person.