Since 1996, car ownership programs have provided innovative solutions for addressing the transportation needs of the low-wage working poor. Although these programs employ a number of approaches for facilitating car ownership, they generally help low-wage workers acquire reliable used vehicles (including cars, trucks, and vans) as an approach to reducing transportation-related barriers to work and to enhance overall mobility. Collectively, the programs across the country can be generally described as “a group of organizations helping low income people to improve their economic security and family well-being through car ownership”.

Although there are a number of ways that car ownership programs operate, they primarily help people acquire cars by employing one or more of the following strategies: (1) they acquire reliable used cars and either sell or give them away to recipients, (2) they make low cost, subsidized loans to recipients that are experiencing credit challenges so they can purchase a car, or (3) they help potential recipients save for a car by helping them to save for the purchase, and match their savings with funds from other sources. While each program may employ slightly different strategies – each is focused on the goal of helping to facilitate car ownership. In addition, programs may also provide other valuable services that support successful car ownership such as financial literacy training, assistance with car repairs and insurance, referrals to comprehensive service providers, and credit counseling.

Car ownership programs are located in at least 33 of the 50 U.S. states and are generally more heavily concentrated in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Great Lakes regions. Approximately half of all programs are serving urban areas while one fourth are located in and serving rural areas. 93% of all programs serve single parents; 84% are serving persons receiving some work supports through Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). While the majority of the programs are operated directly by nonprofit organizations or as part of a larger organization, at least one is operated by a state government agency and several dozen county agencies operate programs.

To find out if there are one or more programs in your area, go to the “Find a Program” tab and enter your zip code. Contact each program directly to learn if you are eligible for program participation.

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