• • Nomads, regularly living out of their vehicle,
  • In an unexpected risky situation due to a sudden incident, or series of events, that are out of their control, and
  • Without enough financial, family, or friend resources to fix their emergency.

Scope of the eFund Program is for people who are:

• • Nomads, actively living on the road, and
  • Legally driving their “home on wheels” (titled, registered, & insured).

Out-of-Scope not-fundable examples include:

• • Non-emergencies,
  • Requests for emergency funding to start life as a vehicle dweller, or
  • Expected regular costs such as – loan payments, vehicle registration, tire replacements, battery replacement, brake job, tune up, oil change, etc.

If you don’t meet the guidelines for HOWA’s eFund Program, please check out our Other Programs or consider reaching out to local social services in the area where you are located.

Send an Inquiry eMail for the eFund:  If your situation falls within the Intent and Scope of the Nomad eFund Program, and is not Out-of-Scope, then email eFund@HomesOnWheelsAlliance.org with the following required information:

• • Name
  • Current location
  • Working phone number
  • Working email
  • Brief description of your emergency

Once HOWA has this initial information, we will walk you through a larger application process that includes providing:

• • Electronic copies, sent by email, of your driver’s license, proof of insurance, title (if not with a loan company), registration, and proof insurance.
  • Electronic copy of the written estimate on the mechanic shop’s official invoice/letterhead for the total costs to make your vehicle safe for both driving and living, including tax.
  • A valuation of your vehicle from Kelly Blue Book, NADA, a dealer appraisal, or documented sales for the same year/make/model of vehicle.  HOWA avoids repairing vehicles that need funds beyond their worth as additional major repairs will be likely in the near future.
  • Other documentation as requested (e.g., bank statements, a second estimate, etc.).

HOWA is honored to serve Nomads in emergency situations.  We also are very grateful for the generous contributors who make it all possible.  Indeed, HOWA works to meet the following constraints:

1. 1. Serve Nomads who are in emergency need to the greatest extent possible,
   2. Follow donors’ intent per the Guidelines of the Nomad Emergency Fund Program, and
   3. Abide by the best practices and laws that govern 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit organizations.

Tent Program

Intent: Tents are provided to Nomads in financial need who are currently traveling and living out of their vehicle.

Two examples of tent grants for past clients:

• • Their current tent gets ripped up by desert winds.
  • Their current vehicle-home cannot be arranged to sleep comfortably.

Tent applicants must be:

• • Without enough financial, family, or friend resources to purchase a tent,
  • Available to pick-up and transport a tent that is shipped to them.
  • Strong enough to safely lift and carry 50 pounds.
  • Proficient at putting up and taking down a tent by themselves.
  • Capable of using a 3-pound hammer to secure re-bar stakes into rocky ground.
  • Able to securely transport a 6.5′ long x 12″ round disassembled tent in their vehicle.

If you don’t meet the guidelines for HOWA’s Tent Program, please check out our Other Programs.

Start an Inquiry for a Tent Grant:  If your situation falls within the requirements of the Tent Program, then email eFund@HomesOnWheelsAlliance.org with the following required information:

• • Name
  • Current location
  • Working phone number
  • Working email
  • Brief description of why you need a tent

Once HOWA has this initial information, we will walk you through the larger application process for a tent.

Help to Maintain the Emergency Fund & Tent Programs

A Saved Life

The desert winds were especially brutal during the winter of 2019.  Rae’s tent tore to shreds.  And, now, she has no where to sleep except while sitting in her car.

Six months ago Rae’s apartment rent increased an additional $200 per month.  Her $800 per month Social Security check was already stretched to the max.  So, Rae chose to travel and live out of her car, instead of on the streets.  She’d done a lot research already — read articles and watched how-to videos — to learn how to be a nomad.  It was her dream and her eventual plan. She intended to trade her car for a van in which she could create a tiny home.  But, with the increase in her rent, she must become a nomad sooner than expected and so used what she had: her car.  Rae is the resourceful, self-sufficient type.  She knew she could do it.

When Rae became mobile, she stored her belongings in her car and slept in her tent.  It was like an on-going camping trip.  She traveled to the desert southwest where the winters are warmer and the nomad community gathers.  But, the winds were brutal in early 2019.  After 5 months, her tent was in shambles and she had no place to sleep comfortably.

HOWA would have preferred to give Rae a minivan.  But, our funds are currently very limited.  So, instead, we provided Rae with a quality tent as an emergency solution.  This $600 tent is a strong temporary structure made to withstand high desert winds and weather.  It was the difference between Rae sleeping comfortably, or in perpetual discomfort in her car.

At that time, we discovered that Rae was sick.  She had heart surgery even before the tent was delivered.  Thankfully, the hospital kept her safe until she was well enough to camp again.  Upon her return to the new tent, Rae shared that she had almost given up.  She plainly says that HOWA saved her life.

Picture is a stock photo of the Sprinbar Highline6 tent provided to Rae.

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