When the road throws you a curve, we’re here to help.
Unexpected breakdowns, medical issues, and sudden cash shortages can happen to anyone living the nomadic life. Homes On Wheels Alliance (HOWA) created the Nomad Emergency Fund and Tent Grant programs so you don’t have to face those crises alone.
Apply any time. First, review the guidelines below. If you meet the qualifications, click the APPLY button and complete the short form application. A member of our team will reach out by email with next steps.
Program Hours & Communication
We respond to applications and emails Monday – Friday, 8 AM–4 PM Pacific Time. Messages received outside those hours will be returned on the next business day.
Online applications and emails are our only channels of communication for the eFund so we can track every detail of your request.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re a nomad facing a genuine emergency, don’t wait. Review the criteria below, click APPLY, and let us walk alongside you. HOWA wants to keep you safe, mobile, and thriving—even when life takes an unexpected detour.
Stay safe out there, and remember—you’re not alone on the road.
Nomad Emergency Fund Program (eFund)
Purpose
To provide financial assistance for full‑time nomads who face unexpected, critical expenses that threaten their safety or ability to remain on the road.
Who Qualifies?
You may be eligible if all of the following are true:
- Active Nomad – You travel and live out of a titled, registered, and insured vehicle.
- Unexpected Emergency – A sudden event outside your control has created a risky situation (e.g., breakdown, medical crisis, stolen essentials, severe cash shortfall for food or fuel).
- Limited Resources – You have no other reasonable way to resolve the emergency (savings, credit, family, or friends).
What We Can Help Pay For
- Safety‑related vehicle repairs (engine, transmission, steering, etc.)
- Towing to a repair facility
- Essential supplies such as food or fuel needed to reach work or a safer location
What Falls Outside Our Scope
- Routine or expected maintenance (oil changes, tune‑ups, battery, registration fees)
- Repair costs that exceed the vehicle’s value or long‑term reliability
- Costs to begin a nomadic lifestyle
- Non‑emergency personal expenses
Lifetime Grant Limit
To stretch our limited funds and help as many nomads as possible, each applicant can receive up to $1,500 total over their lifetime. If your repair exceeds that amount, you may help coordinate additional resources alongside an eFund grant.
How to Apply
- First, click this APPLY button below and complete the initial online form.
Then …
- Watch your inbox. We will email you a full application that will include requests for:
- Photos or scans of your driver’s license, registration, title, and proof of insurance.
- A written repair estimate on shop letterhead (with tax).
- A vehicle valuation (Kelley Blue Book, NADA, dealer appraisal, or a sales history of similar the same vehicle).
- Additional documents if needed (e.g., bank statements, second estimate).
- Submit the requested documents by email.
- Our team reviews your file and lets you know the decision—usually within 3–5 business days once all paperwork is in.
From Brenda, an eFund grantee:
I want to thank you very much for your generosity. Some might think it not a large amount, but I do not. For me in my situation, this is wonderful…
Tent Grant Program
Sometimes a sturdy tent roof is as critical as four wheels. This grant program provides tents to nomads whose existing shelter has failed or whose medical condition requires a separate space.
Who Qualifies?
- Full‑time nomads living in a vehicle who cannot afford to purchase a replacement tent.
- Experiencing an emergency or medical need (e.g., high winds destroyed your tent, you need additional space during recovery).
- Able to:
- Pick up a shipped tent at a UPS Customer Center or similar location.
- Lift and carry 50 lbs safely.
- Set up and stake the tent solo, using a 3‑lb hammer for rebar stakes.
- Transport the packed tent (6.5′ × 12″ round) inside your vehicle.
How to Apply
- First, click the APPLY button below and complete the online form.
Then …
- Watch your inbox.
- We’ll email you for any additional information and shipping details.
- Once approved, your tent ships within 2–3 business days (continental U.S.).
Messages from Vehicle-Dwellers Served
Sent to HOWA’s eFund Coordinator from a client who was sent an application a few days prior.
Hi Tracey,
I want to thank you so much for your service. It is invaluable to us who live on the road. I want you to know that your response to offer help gave me the calm in my heart to slow down and take a moment to fix my car myself. As well I just happened to be near an old friend who let me stay in her driveway while I talked with mechanics and waited for parts. I was able to diagnose the issue as a misfire and order the necessary coil packs as well as swap them out. Gratefully that was the issue.
At this juncture I don’t need the assistance any longer. May your services help another nomad who is in need. I would like to keep knowing you are out there in case I were to be in a similar situation in the future…
Thank you again. So incredibly grateful you are energetically supporting us out here.
Big love
Robin
From an eFund Client:
“my gosh !! The most heart warming biggest virtual hugs sqeezed with so much GRATITUDE to every single hard working dedicated member of the HOWA team, community, TRIBE!! I feel truly blessed to be a part of. THANK YOU!!!
I will be on the phone in the morning to set up appointment with Tim and will let you know the date. Best morning I’ve had in a long time thank you again. Suzanne
A Thank You from an eFund Grantee:
I want to thank you very much for your generosity. Some might think it not a large amount, but I do not. For me in my situation, this is wonderful…
… Now I’d like to ask, though not in a situation yet where I can, When I can, how can I best help to give back to other nomads needing help? I don’t like to leave things to last minute, so want to know how I can start planning and preparing to help, now. I do have budgeted for August 21 to save $100 each month if possible, and though not much, could start giving out of that, back financially. As well, are there other ways I can start contributing? Thank you again so very much …
… I also want to ask if you would, wherever/whomever the funds came from, to Please give them (and yourself for all your patience and help), a HUGE and very sincere, Thank you and God Bless You all. I will use this wisely and carefully, and truly appreciate it. There is no way I won’t be at the October gathering, assisting however I can… Brenda
Accounting for Nomad Emergency Fund and Tent Grant Programs
Total Granted since 8/15/2019
$107,549.98
Date of Grant | Description of Grant | Amount of Grant |
5/6/2025 4/11/2025 4/4/2025 3/27/2025 3/26/2025 3/25/2025 1/30/2025 1/29/2025 12/24/2024 12/10/2024 12/6/2024 11/22/2024 11/13/2024 11/6/2024 10/29/2024 10/29/2024 10/8/2024 9/25/2024 9/23/2024 9/20/2024 9/19/2024 8/29/2024 8/29/2024 8/27/2024 8/26/2024 8/21/2024 8/7/2024 8/5/2024 7/31/2024 7/29/2024 7/29/2024 7/24/2024 7/17/2024 7/16/2024 7/11/2024 7/8/2024 6/27/2024 6/24/2024 6/7/2024 5/2/2024 4/11/2024 4/2/2024 3/24/2024 3/22/2024 3/19/2024 3/11/2024 3/2/2024 2/28/2024 2/26/2024 2/22/2024 2/21/2024 2/17/2024 2/9/2024 1/24/2024 1/24/2024 1/19/2024 1/12/2024 1/9/2024 1/3/2024 1/1/2024 12/31/2023 12/25/2023 12/22/2023 12/21/2023 12/18/2023 12/15/2023 12/13/2023 12/7/2023 12/7/2023 11/28/2023 11/11/2023 10/30/2023 10/24/2023 10/20/2023 10/5/2023 10/4/2023 9/29/2023 9/28/2023 8/27/2023 8/18/2023 8/18/2023 8/14/2023 7/8/2023 6/30/2023 6/16/2023 5/23/2023 4/21/2023 4/21/2023 4/11/2023 4/10/2023 4/1/2023 3/30/2023 3/28/2023 3/28/2023 3/21/2023 3/8/2023 3/2/2023 3/2/2023 2/17/2023 2/15/2023 1/29/2023 1/26/2023 1/21/2023 12/22/2022 12/15/2022 11/23/2022 11/19/2022 11/18/2022 10/24/2022 10/18/2022 10/2/2022 9/29/2022 9/26/2022 9/21/2022 8/30/2022 8/30/2022 8/30/2022 8/29/2022 8/28/2022 8/18/2022 8/11/2022 8/6/2022 7/23/2022 7/22/2022 7/19/2022 7/14/2022 7/12/2022 6/27/2022 6/17/2022 6/14/2022 6/14/2022 5/28/2022 5/26/2022 5/9/2022 4/27/2022 3/23/2022 3/22/2022 3/14/2022 3/13/2022 3/7/2022 2/19/2022 2/18/2022 2/17/2022 2/17/2022 2/16/2022 2/3/2022 1/20/2022 1/19/2022 1/1/2022 12/14/2021 12/11/2021 12/3/2021 11/20/2021 11/9/2021 11/4/2021 10/26/2021 10/17/2021 10/13/2021 10/11/2021 10/3/2021 9/27/2021 9/25/2021 9/22/2021 9/16/2021 9/11/2021 9/10/2021 9/10/2021 9/5/2021 9/3/2021 8/30/2021 8/28/2021 8/23/2021 8/14/2021 8/9/2021 7/30/2021 7/12/2021 7/9/2021 7/8/2021 6/20/2021 6/19/2021 6/18/2021 6/9/2021 6/7/2021 6/4/2021 5/30/2021 5/16/2021 5/3/2021 5/3/2021 4/30/2021 4/29/2021 4/28/2021 4/10/2021 3/31/2021 3/30/2021 3/24/2021 3/20/2021 3/18/2021 2/24/2021 2/18/2021 2/12/2021 2/3/2021 1/28/2021 1/27/2021 1/25/2021 1/9/2021 1/1/2021 12/29/2020 12/26/2020 12/22/2020 12/17/2020 12/7/2020 12/7/2020 11/26/2020 11/14/2020 9/27/2020 9/19/2020 9/14/2020 8/22/2020 8/15/2020 8/7/2020 7/25/2020 6/21/2020 5/28/2020 5/16/2020 5/8/2020 5/2/2020 4/21/2020 4/17/2020 4/15/2020 4/13/2020 4/3/2020 3/31/2020 3/21/2020 3/21/2020 3/21/2020 3/21/2020 3/10/2020 3/5/2020 2/25/2020 2/22/2020 2/4/2020 1/31/2020 1/28/2020 1/23/2020 1/3/2020 12/30/2019 12/29/2019 12/24/2019 12/20/2019 12/16/2019 12/5/2019 12/3/2019 11/27/2019 11/22/2019 10/16/2019 10/10/2019 10/9/2019 10/1/2019 10/1/2019 9/26/2019 9/11/2019 9/11/2019 9/9/2019 8/29/2019 8/27/2019 8/22/2019 8/15/2019 | Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Tent Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle 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Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Tent Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Compassion Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Compassion Grant Tent Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant Vehicle Repair Grant | $1,400.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $223.90 $378.42 $100.00 $100.00 $950.00 $586.88 $100.00 $1,063.74 $1,179.66 $621.66 $100.00 $867.25 $120.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $402.32 $100.00 $100.00 $1,250.16 $100.00 $1,500.00 $1,498.65 $398.71 $1,499.99 $100.00 $1,234.97 $100.00 $100.00 $534.20 $1,500.00 $1,184.18 $781.43 $100.00 $1,027.19 $100.00 $100.00 $1,007.46 $732.39 $200.00 $41.26 $1,444.27 $100.00 $600.00 $100.00 $100.00 $807.63 $100.00 $200.00 $1,500.00 $100.00 $1,400.50 $100.00 $200.00 $100.00 $63.59 $200.00 $354,58 $100.00 $200.00 $684.00 $100.00 $439.10 $1,500.00 $100.00 $200.00 $575.41 $100.00 $100.00 $777.18 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $815.73 $100.00 $1,500.00 $100.00 $100.00 $511.29 $378.96 $100.00 $1,342.10 $150.00 $1,050.00 $790.00 $1,342.10 $670.68 $523.02 $789.63 $1,089.36 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $1,480.32 $429.84 $573.92 $350.00 $1,500.00 $100.00 $150.42 $100.00 $150.42 $100.00 $100.00 $140.20 $968.17 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $200.00 $1,500.00 $465.26 $100.00 $200.00 $100.00 $220.93 $624.95 $100.00 $339.68 $678.46 $200.00 $100.00 $25.00 $100.00 $200.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $210.05 $436.40 $100.00 $53.79 $100.00 $198.74 $100.00 $200.00 $396.12 $100.00 $200.00 $504.24 $340.38 $1,499.00 $1,290.90 $255.20 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $150.00 $250.00 $1,500.00 $200.00 $100.00 $100.00 $1,129.19 $100.00 $1,400.00 $1,110.71 $837.00 $1,500.00 $829.65 $859.47 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $200.00 $100.00 $100.00 $267.41 $669.61 $200.00 $200.00 $797.15 $780.62 $100.00 $1,500.00 $606.08 $235.00 $200.00 $175.00 $390.70 $660.19 $1,500.00 $1,093.04 $100.00 $875.00 $294.00 $100.00 $100.00 $1,400.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $640.53 $239.82 $100.00 $513.53 $821.76 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $386.90 $100.00 $200.00 $100.00 $100.00 $530.93 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $552.12 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $85.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $148.75 $400.00 $308.27 $401.45 $100.00 $1,300.00 $100.00 $100.00 $200.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $304.68 $100.00 $100.00 $222.48 $1,150.85 $100.00 $50.00 $385.62 $77.90 $729.95 $100.00 $268.99 $364.59 $879.37 $301.55 $184.80 $250.00 $245.08 $576.57 $389.29 |
Notes:
- For mechanical repairs, payments are made directly to the mechanic shop.
- HOWA’s processes for granting emergency funds follows Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Help Maintain the Emergency Fund & Tent Programs
Your contributions allow HOWA to help those in the mobile community
with nowhere else to get the assistance they need.
“100% of your contribution goes directly for grants to serve nomads in need.”
Together, we are changing lives.