To confirm that you are driving legally, own your vehicle, and for identification, be prepared to attach electronic images or pictures of:

• Driver’s License
• Registration
• Title (if not with a lien holder, lender)

For the Review Committee and Build Teams to review your vehicle’s readiness, be prepared to attach current pictures of your vehicle:

• 3 interior pictures from different perspectives, including 1 of the ceiling if requesting a vent or fan
• 1-2 exterior roof pictures from different perspectives, if requesting roof-mounted solar panel (4’x5′), a fan (20″x18″), or a vent (16″x16″)

For health and safety, be prepared to electronically attach a doctors note if you have or may have a contagious condition (skin, respiratory, viral, bacterial, etc.):

• Attach a note from your doctor (on letterhead) with their signed approval of your participation to work on Build Project(s) with others inside of your vehicle. Your doctor should include any instructions to protect you and other workers who will be in close proximity to one another.

In accordance with HOWA’s Mission, BYOV Build Projects are assigned to Recipients in the greatest financial need.  The following documentation and information is necessary, therefore, for the Committee’s review and selection process.

Be prepared to attach financial documents and/or Letters of Recommendation:

• Latest Statements from all of your Financial Institutions
• 2021 IRS 1040 Tax Form OR
• If You Did Not File 2021 Federal Taxes, then upload electronic images of 2 Letters of Recommendation

Be prepared with the following financial information:

• AVERAGE MONTHLY INCOME from every source (paid work, Social Security, pension, retirement disbursements, etc.).
• ALL DEBT & MONTHLY PAYMENTS (loans, credit card, mortgage, etc.).
• ALL ASSETS (savings, real estate, vehicle(s), annuities, etc.).

Grounds for Dismissal

If HOWA management determines a Recipient has demonstrated any of the below behaviors, that Recipient will be immediately dismissed from that Build Event or from participating in a planned Build Event:

1. Recipient violates or undermines the mission of HOWA;
2. Recipient is found to have provided false, misleading, or incomplete information to HOWA that HOWA relied on in selecting the Recipient for a Build Grant;
3. Recipient disrupts the activities of the Build Event; or
4. Recipient places other Build Event Participants at risk.

Examples

Examples of grounds for dismissal, include but are not limited to:

• Recipient’s vehicle not sufficiently emptied in time for either their Planning Session or their Build Slot(s).
• Recipient is unresponsive to communications.
• Recipient does not accurately disclose financial and other resources available to Recipient.
• Recipient does not show up at scheduled appointment time or is significantly late.
• Recipient’s pet is aggressive toward people or other animals, on leash or off leash.
• Recipient has a contagious condition that puts others at risk.
• Recipient participates in sexual or physical harassment in their jokes, words, or actions.
• Recipient violates the stated rules or boundaries of the Build Event.

After Dismissal

If at the time of dismissal, the Recipient was already granted a full or partial installation at that Build Event, then the Recipient must remove and return all previously granted supplies and materials within one week of dismissal. The supplies and materials must be returned in good condition at a mutually agreed upon time at the Build Event location.

Bring Your Own Vehicle

Cheryl: Spring 2022 Recipient.

A person who applied, was interviewed, then selected to receive one or more Build Projects for their home on wheels.  Recipients are unable to afford the improvements themselves, neither the labor nor the materials.  Recipients remain in Pahrump for the full month of October.  Recipients are the reason for the BYOV and all the volunteers who gather to make it happen.

Volunteers at HOWA first Build, Summer 2019.

A person who gives from the heart for the benefit of Recipients to improve their quality of life.  Most volunteers work for one week at a time during the BYOV.  Volunteers in leadership positions work before, during, and after the month-long BYOV Build Event.  Care and compassion are hallmarks of the HOWA community’s volunteers.  Other than small tokens of gratitude, they receive no compensation.  Volunteer sign-ups begin during the second week of August 2022.

Recipient Aimee thanking her Build Team members, Diane and Anya, during a Friday Thank You Lunch at the Spring 2022 BYOV.

Pizza was provided for Friday’s lunches last Spring.  Recipients, Staff and Trustees come together to thank that week’s BYOV Volunteers.  This is a time to honor those who make the BYOV possible – the Builders, Solar Installers, First Aid, Hospitality, Inventory, Runners, Safety, Security, etc.  Volunteers are the heart of HOWA!

Recipient Elizabeth installing her 12v Fan at the Spring 2022 BYOV.

A well-defined improvement to a Recipient’s living space, selected from a list of options.  Recipients may apply for and receive more than one Build Project.  Here are the descriptions of Build Project options:

• 100w Solar Power System:  A portable power station and a 100W suitcase panel.  (.5 Build Slot)
• 200w Solar Power System with a PORTABLE SUITCASE panel:  Components installed inside the vehicle include a 100ah battery, charge controller, inverter, and 12v fuse block.  The solar panel is stored inside, then set out during the day on 20’ wires. (1 Build Slot)
• 200w Solar Power System with a ROOF-MOUNTED panel:  Components installed inside the vehicle include a 100ah battery, charge controller, inverter, 12v fuse block.  Two 100W solar panels and gland box to cover the hole to bring the wires inside to the charge controller.  Required space on the roof is 4’x5’.  (2 Build Slots)
• Insulation for Walls and Doors:  EPS or Polyiso insulation, covered with a panel (white, plastic/fiberglass).  (3 Build Slots for most vehicles)
• Insulation for Ceiling:  EPS or Polyiso insulation, covered with a panel (white, plastic/fiberglass). (1 Build Slot)
• Ceiling Vent:  A framed-out and screened hole in the ceiling, allowing for air flow.  The vent has a cover to adjust up or down. Requires a 16″x16″ space on ceiling and roof.  (1 Build Slot)
• 12v Ceiling Fan:  A framed-out and screened hole in the ceiling with a 12v fan, allowing for air flow.  The vent has a cover to adjust up or down.  The Recipient must have an open slot on their 12v fuse block to run a wire to the fan. Requires an 18″x20″ space on ceiling and roof, with 18″ to the front/back. (1 Build Slot)
• Floor:  Single level plywood deck covered in sheet vinyl.  Edges at doors are trimmed out.  (1 Build Slot)
• Bed:  Plywood (unfinished) platform bed on lumber legs.  (1 Build Slot)
• Shelves:  Plywood (unfinished) shelves with lip on lumber legs.  (1 Build Slot)
• Reflectix Window Covering:  Reflectix cut to pressure fit windows for heat reflections and privacy.  (.5 Build Slot)

Installing a floor is an example of a Build Project taking one Build Slot.

Typically covers 3 days.

1. The afternoon of Day 1 is for signing off on the Scope of Work and making the plan to complete the Build Project.
2. From 8am-5pm on Day 2 is dedicated to complete the Build Project.
3. The morning of Day 3 is to finalize any loose ends and sign-off on completion.

Most Build Projects take one Build Slot.  A few Build Projects take more time, and a few take less.

Elizabeth and her Build Team Volunteers. Spring 2022 BYOV Open House.

Two skilled Volunteers and the Recipient.  To the best of their abilities, the Recipient is active in their own Build Project(s).  All three members of the Build Team are safety conscious, including wearing close-toed shoes and eye projection.

A plywood bed with 2″x4″ lumber legs is an example of a well-defined Scope of Work.

One well-defined Build Project in the Recipient’s Vehicle.

STAY ON TARGET

Going beyond the well-defined and signed-off Build Project.  Adding more materials or functionality than agreed to at sign-off.  Scope Creep is not permitted.  Recipients are not to ask, pressure, or hint to their Volunteer Build Team to add anything more to their Build Project.

A common scene when Nomads camp together. (Fall 2021, Pahrump, NV)

Recreational camping on BLM land with other Recipients and Volunteers.  No work will be done on vehicles at camp.  No activities organized by HOWA.  This is a place to casually camp and enjoy community after a busy day.  Pets are on leash.  Avoid driving through washes or over any plants.  A suggested location will be provided on October 1 by email. Extra large or long RVs or trailers may not fit or be able to safely access the camp.

Work at the BYOV Build Site, Spring 2022.

Is on private property in Pahrump.  Much appreciation for our Hosts at Mail, Messages and More.  The Build Site will be approximately a half-hour drive from the BYOV Camp.  While your vehicle is under construction at the Build Site, use the provided Port-a-Potty at the Build Site.  Bring your water.  Bring your lunch.  Do NOT bring your pets.  If desired, and your pet is behaved, then a volunteer will pet-sit for you at the BYOV Camp.  The Build Site is a construction zone; so, no visitors.  (The public and community are invited to the Open House on the afternoon of Friday, October 28.)

Rachele: First Aid Volunteer at the 2022 RTR. She also served at the Spring 22 BYOV.

Safety is a very important focus at the BYOV.  All Participants are part of the “Be Safe” solution:  Stay aware.  Be proactive.  Act and respond immediately when directed to remove or react to a safety hazard.  Wear close-toed shoes and eye protection.  To prevent COVID transmission, HOWA recommends that participants follow current CDC Guidelines.  If an accident occurs, trained and qualified first aid volunteers are at the Build Site.

Bobbi, your BYOV Manager.

• Bobbi, BYOV Manager
• Ronda, BYOV Assistant Manager
• Erik Adame, Volunteer Coordinator
• Glen, volunteer Build Organizer to assist Build Teams and provide quality control
• Two volunteer Assistant Build Organizers and one or two Inventory volunteers have yet to be selected.

Volunteer:  Sign-ups available on HOWA web site during the second week of August 2022.

Charity Wishlist on Amazon:  Purchase an item (or more) for Recipients’ Builds.  Published during the third or forth week of August.

Cash Gifts:  Specifically for the HOWA Build Program HERE.

Part of the clean-up crew from April 2022.

On Saturday mornings during the BYOV — October 8, 15, 22, and 29 — meet in the BLM Desert at Basin and Higley (aka Justin) to pick up trash.  Bags provided by HOWA.  Dumpster provided by the BLM, Pahrump Field Office.

Ditzy, the Volunteer Mentor with Recipient Barbara, standing in front of Barbara’s newly granted minivan. The Astro MiniVan was generously donated, as was the Fiberine hightop. Fall 2021

As a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit, HOWA is dedicated to providing safe and secure homes on wheels to those in financial need. Since the Summer of 2019, HOWA has provided vehicles, mostly minivans, to those on the edge of homelessness. But, the world has changed since we started that effort. In 2019, we spent $3000 for that first minivan. By the end of 2021 we were spending $7000+ for comparable minivans, if we could even find any at all, in today’s used-car market.

So, HOWA’s Board of Trustees took a hard look to figure out if HOWA can use our limited funds more effectively in order to serve more nomads in need. And, the answer is “Yes, we can!” HOWA made those changes for our first Bring Your Own Vehicle Build Program in Spring 2022, doubling the number of Build Program Recipients for a single Build Event.

Be assured, HOWA will continue providing Vehicle Grants as vehicles in good condition are donated. We want to continue to provide vehicles as homes on wheels for those on the edge of homelessness. We are not abandoning Vehicle Grants, rather we are adding to our Build Program in order to serve many more nomads in need.

HOWA’s Build Program currently has a few parts and sub-parts:

• BYOV (Bring Your Own Vehicle)
• Vehicle Grants of Donated Vehicles
  • If an RV, then HOWA assures good condition and grants as is.
  • If a van or minivan, then HOWA assures good condition and
    • HOWA Volunteers and Recipient do a Build on the vehicle, OR
    • One Mentor Volunteer with the Recipient does a No-Build Build on the vehicle
  • For two weeks, a Volunteer Mentor helps the Recipient who is typically just moving off of the edge of homelessness.

A caring and compassionate community are hallmarks of HOWA.  All are welcome to be part of us, all — ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, religious affiliations, political persuasions, physical abilities, etc.  Diversity makes us stronger.  In HOWA, we focus on what brings us together — our humanity, appreciation of differences, love of nature, exploration, helping each other, the nomadic life.  In contrast, we avoid divisive topics, words, pictures, and symbols of religion, politics, and any other current hot-button topic.  Together we are changing lives, building community, and ending homelessness one person at a time.

Trustees:  Bob Wells, President; Suanne Carlson, Vice-President; Karen Battaglia, Secretary; Brian Gifford, Treasurer; Bob Kent; Susan Merrill; Sarah Kuiken; JP Smith; and provisional trustees Arlo Kipfer (acting Governance), Jaime Restorff, and John Noland.

Staff:  Suanne Carlson, Executive Director; Phyllis Bickford, Executive Assistant; and Lisa Bernad, Virtual Caravan Coordinator who also lends her artistic talents.  Bobbi, the BYOV Manager is also the Emergency Fund Coordinator and Case Manager for Vehicle-Grant Recipients.