HOWA eFund and Tent Programs

Hours of Operation for eFund inquiries: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm Pacific Time

The unexpected happens to all of us.

The Nomad Emergency Fund (eFund) Program of Homes On Wheels Alliance (HOWA) may be able to help with emergencies such as —
unexpected repairs to Nomads’ rigs, groceries due to an unexpected cash shortfall, gas funds to get to a job …

The Tent Program is for Nomads (vehicle dwellers) in financial need who require a tent for emergency or medical problems.

Click here if you are just starting out and looking for information

Emergency Program

Intent of the eFund Program is for people who are:

  • Active Nomads in need whose primary residence is their vehicle
  • In an unexpected, risky situation due to a sudden incident or series of events that are out of their control
  • 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,
  • Repair costs beyond the value of the vehicle,
  • Requests for funding to start life as a vehicle dweller or
  • Expected costs include loan payments, vehicle registration, tire replacements, battery replacement, brake job, tune-up, oil changes, etc.

Limit on Lifetime Grant Total:  

Due to a finite number of dollars in HOWA’s Nomad Emergency Fund, each grantee is limited to a cumulative $1,500-lifetime award.  If an emergency repair costs more than the Applicant’s balance from HOWA’s Emergency Fund, then HOWA will offer to combine granted eFund dollars with funds from other sources available to the Applicant.  By putting an upper lifetime limit for each client, HOWA can help more Nomads facing emergencies.

To inquire about an eFund Grant:

If your situation falls within the Intent and Scope of the Nomad eFund Program and is not Out-of-Scope, please click here to complete and submit our Intake Form.

Once HOWA has this initial information, we will walk you through a more extensive application process that includes providing the following:

  • Electronic copies, sent by email, of your driver’s license, proof of insurance, title (if not with a loan company), registration, and proof of insurance.
  • An 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 significant repairs will likely happen soon.
  • Other documentation, if requested (e.g., bank statements, a second estimate, etc.).
Tent Program

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

Tents are granted for emergency and medical needs.  Since desert winds are strong and destructive, several Nomads have been granted a tent to replace a tent that the wind recently ripped up.

Tent applicants must be:

  • In need of a tent due to emergency or medical problems
  • 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 rebar stakes into rocky ground
  • Able to securely transport a 6.5′ long x 12″ round disassembled tent in their vehicle

To inquire about a Tent Grant:
If your situation falls within the Guidelines for the Tent Program, then please click here to fill out and submit our Intake Form.

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

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 of Grants for eFund and Tent Programs

Last updated 04/07/2025 Total Granted: $105,974.78

DATEDESCRIPTIONGRANTED
EMERGENCY FUND & TENT GRANTS
8/15/2019Two (2) Tires purchased and Installed     $389.29
8/22/2019Brakes and Coolant     $576.57
8/27/2019Heater Hose Assembly     $245.08
8/29/2019Tires     $250.00
9/9/2019Battery     $184.80
9/11/2019Fuel Pump, Manifold Gasket & Other Repairs     $879.37
9/11/2019Vehicle Repairs     $301.55
9/26/2019Rebuilt Starter Repairs     $364.59
10/1/2019Gas Fund     $100.00
10/1/2019Purchased Applicant a Gazelle Loaner Tent     $268.99
10/9/2019Portable Generator     $729.95
10/10/2019Diagnostic for Repairs needed       $77.90
10/16/2019Brake Pads and Drum     $385.62
11/22/2019Gas for heat to keep warm       $50.00
11/27/2019Winter Coat and Butane to keep warm     $100.00
12/3/2019Vehicle Repairs  $1,150.85
12/5/2019Tow vehicle to Repair Shop for Estimate     $222.48
12/16/2019Donation into Client’s GoFundMe Campaign     $100.00
12/20/2019Donation into Client’s GoFundMe Campaign     $100.00
12/24/2019Vehicle Repairs     $304.68
12/29/2019Compassion Grant     $100.00
12/30/2019Compassion Grant     $100.00
1/3/2020Donation into Client’s GoFundMe Campaign     $100.00
1/23/2020Tires     $200.00
1/28/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
1/31/2020Donation into Client’s GoFundMe Campaign     $100.00
2/4/2020Vehicle Repairs  $1,300.00
2/22/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
2/25/2020Parts for Vehicle Repairs     $401.45
3/5/2020Purchased Applicant a Gazelle Loaner Tent     $308.27
3/10/2020Diagnostic Test and Repairs     $400.00
3/21/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
3/21/2020Gas Fund     $100.00
3/21/2020Two (2) Tires purchased and Installed     $148.75
3/21/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
3/31/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
4/3/2020Gas Fund      $85.00
4/13/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
4/15/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
4/17/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
4/21/2020Vehicle Repairs     $552.12
5/2/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
5/8/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
5/16/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
5/28/2020Vehicle Repairs     $530.93
6/21/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
7/25/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
8/7/2020Food and Gas Fund     $200.00
8/15/2020GoFundMe Campaign Donation     $100.00
8/22/2020Vehicle Repairs     $386.90
9/14/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
9/19/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
 9/27/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
11/14/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
11/26/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
12/07/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
12/07/2020Battery and Smart Box             Donated Items
12/07/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
12/17/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
12/22/2020Vehicle Repairs     $821.76
12/26/2020Steering System Repair     $513.53
12/29/2020Compassion Grant     $100.00
01/01/2021Carbon Monoxide Detector, Blanket, and Funds for Warm Clothing     $239.82
01/09/2021Vehicle Repair     $640.53
01/25/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
01/27/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
01/28/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
02/03/2021Vehicle Repairs    $1400.00
02/12/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
02/18/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
02/24/2021Windshield Replacement     $294.00
03/18/2021Tow and Transmission Repair     $875.00
03/20/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
03/24/2021Head Gasket   $1093.04
03/30/2021Rebuilt Transmission   $1500.00
03/31/2021New Control Arm and Starter     $660.19
04/10/2021New Alternator     $390.70
04/28/2021Estimate for Repairs     $175.00
04/29/2021Compassion/Covid Grant     $200.00
04/30/2021Repairs     $235.00
05/03/2021Transmission Repair     $606.08
05/03/2021Rebuilt Transmission   $1500.00
05/16/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
05/30/2021Vehicle Repairs     $780.62
06/04/2021Vehicle Repairs     $797.15
06/07/2021Compassion/Covid Grant     $200.00
06/09/2021Compassion/Covid Grant     $200.00
06/19/2021Tire and Compassion Grant     $267.41
06/18/2021Tires and Alignment     $669.61
06/20/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
07/08/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
07/09/2021Diagnosis of Electrical problems     $200.00
07/12/2021Radiator Repairs   $1500.00
07/30/2021Repairs   $1500.00
08/09/2021Axel Repairs     $859.47
08/14/2021Electrical Repairs     $829.65
08/23/2021Wheel Bearings and Engine Mount   $1500.00
08/28/2021Compassion Fund, Catalytic Converter     $837.00
08/30/2021Transmission Repairs   $1110.71
09/03/2021Transmission Repairs   $1400.00
09/05/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
o9/10/2021Compassion Grant, Tires, Ball Joints   $1229.19
09/11/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
09/16/2021Compassion/Covid Grant     $200.00
09/22/2021Transmission Repairs   $1500.00
09/25/2021Gas and Food     $250.00
09/27/2021Gas     $150.00
10/03/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
10/11/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
10/13/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
10/17/2021Compassion Grant     $100.00
10/26/2021Fuel Injector Repair     $255.20
11/04/2021Control Arms, Tie Rods, Alignment   $1290.90
11/09/2021Head Gasket Repairs   $1499.00
11/20/2021Computer Component for Van      $340.38
12/03/2021New Alternator      $504.24
12/11/2021Compassion/Covid Grant      $200.00
12/14/2021Compassion Grant      $100.00
01/01/2022Gazelle Tent and Stakes      $396.12
01/19/2022Compassion/Covid Grant      $200.00
01/20/2022Compassion Grant      $100.00
02/03/2022Estimate for Repairs       $198.74
02/16/2022Compassion Grant       $100.00
02/18/2022Repairs to Misfiring Engine       $436.40
02/17/2022Compassion Grant, 15W Solar Panel, Two Donated Battery Bricks       $153.79
02/19/2022Vaneventi Tent       $210.05
03/07/2022Compassion Grant       $100.00
03/13/2022Compassion Grant       $100.00
03/14/2022Compassion Grant       $100.00
03/22/2022Compassion/Covid Grant       $200.00
03/23/2022Compassion Grant       $100.00
04/27/2022Gas          $25.00
05/9/2022Compassion Grant       $100.00
05/26/2022Compassion/Covid Grant       $200.00
05/28/2022Wheel Bearing Repair       $678.46
06/14/2022Compassion Grant       $100.00
06/14/2022Repair Fuel Leak       $339.68
06/17/2022Replace Spark Plugs, Coil,Headlight       $624.95
06/27/2022Windshield Replacement       $220.93
07/12/2022Compassion Grant       $100.00
07/14/2022Compassion/Covid Grant       $200.00
07/19/2022Compassion Grant       $100.00
07/22/2022Aluminet and Pet Cooling Pads       $465.26
07/23/2022Rebuilt Transmission Installation      $1500.00
08/06/2022Compassion/Covid Grant        $200.00
08/11/2022Compassion Grant        $100.00
08/18/2022Compassion Grant        $100.00
08/29/2022Brakes        $968.17
08/28/2022Compassion Grant        $100.00
08/30/2022Compassion Grant        $100.00
08/30/2022Additional to 8/26 Brake Work        $140.20
08/30/2022Compassion Grant        $100.00
09/21/2022Diagnosis of Oil leak         $150.42
09/29/2022Additional Diagnosis for Oil leak         $150.42
09/26/2022Compassion Grant         $100.00
10/02/2022Compassion Grant         $100.00
10/18/2022Transmission Repair       $1500.00
10/24/2022Tow to Repair shop         $350.00
11/18/2022Gazelle Tent, Rebar Stakes, Covid Grant          $573.92
11/23/2022Front End Repairs        $1480.32
11/19/2022Gazelle Tent and Rebar Stakes          $429.84
12/15/2022Compassion Grant          $100.00
12/22/2022Compassion Grant          $100.00
01/21/2023Compassion Grant          $100.00
01/26/2023Compassion Grant          $100.00
01/29/2023Compassion Grant          $100.00
02/15/2023Clutch Repair         $1089.36
02/17/2023Radiator  Replacement           $789.63
03/02/2023Power Steering/Gear Box Repairs           $670.68
03/02/2023Spark Plug/Coil Replacement.           $523.02
03/08/2023Rear Differential Repair         $1342.10
03/28/2023Compassion Grant           $150.00
03/21/2023Labor to Replace Transmission           $790.00
03/28/2023Transmission Repair          $1050.00
03/30/2023Rear Differential Repair          $1342.10
04/01/2023Compassion Grant           $100.00
04/10/2023Power Steering/ Gear Box Repair           $378.96
04/11/2023U-Joint Repairs            $511.29
04/21/2023Compassion Grant           $100.00
04/21/2023Compassion Grant           $100.00
05/23/2023Oil Leak Repair          $1500.00
06/16/2023Compassion Grant            $100.00
06/30/2023Wheel Bearings           $815.73
07/08/2023Compassion Grant           $100.00
08/14/2023Compassion Grant           $100.00
08/18/2023Compassion Grant and Bus Fare           $200.00
08/27/2023Compassion Grant           $100.00
09/28/2023Compassion Grant           $100.00
09/29/2023Compassion Grant           $100.00
10/04/2023Thermostat, Coolant Flush, Radiator Cap           $777.18
10/05/2023Compassion Grant            $100.00
10/20/2023Compassion Grant            $100.00
10/24/2023Tires and Battery            $575.41
10/30/2023Gas/Grocery to Return to Job Location           $200.00
11/11/2023Compassion Grant            $100.00
11/28/2023Transmission Rebuild          $1500.00
12/07/2023Compassion Grant            $100.00
12/07/2023Radiator Repair            $439.10
12/13/2023Signal Wire Repair            $684.00
12/15/2023Food and Fuel           $200.00
12/18/2023Compassion Grant            $100.00
12/21/2923Gazelle Tent and Rebar Stakes            $354,58
12/22/2023Covid/Compassion Grant            $200.0
12/25/2023Sleeping Bag              $63.59
12/31/2023Compassion Grant            $100.00
01/01/2024Compassion Grant (two people)            $200.00
01/03/2024Compassion Grant            $100.00
01/09/2024Catalytic Convertor Repair           $1400.50
01/12/2024Compassion Grant             $100.00
01/19/2024Engine Replacement           $1500.00
01/24/2024Compassion Grant            $100.00 
01/24/2024Food and Fuel             $200.00
02/09/2024Motor Mounts and Transmission Gaskets Labor             $807.63
02/17/2024Compassion Grant             $100.00
02/21/2024Compassion Grant             $100.00
02/22/2024Muffler Repair             $600.00
02/26/2024Compassion Grant             $100.00
02/28/2024Transmission Replacement Labor Cost            $1444.27
03/02/2024Springbar Tent and Rebar Stakes               $41.26
03/11/2024Compassion Grant (two people)               $200.00
03/19/2024Radiator Replacement               $732.39
03/22/2024Radiator Replacement $1007.46
03/24/2024Compassion Grant $100.00
04/02/2024Compassion Grant $100.00
 04/11/2024 O2 Sensors Repaired  $1027.19
05/02/2024 Compassion Grant  $100.00
06/07/2024 Radiator Replacement  $781.43
06/24/2024 Fuel Pump and U Joint Repairs  $1184.18
06/27/2024 Transmission Repair  $1500.00
07/08/2024 Muffler Repair   $534.20
07/11/2024 Compassion Grant  $100.00
07/16/2014 Compassion Grant  $100.00
07/17/2024 Brake Repairs  $1234.97
07/24/2024Compassion Grant $100.00
07/29/2024Tent $398.71
07/29/2024Engine Rebuid $1499.99
07/31/2024Engine Replacement $1498.65
08/05/2024Multiple Repairs for Oil and Timing Cover $1500.00
08/07/2024 Compassion Grant $100.00
08/21/2024Suspension Repair $1250.16
08/26/2024 Compassion Grant $100.00
08/27/2024Compassion Grant $100.00
08/29/2024New Battery $402.32
08/29/2024Compassion Grant $100.00
09/19/2024Compassion Grant $100.00
09/20/2024Compassion Grant $100.00
09/23/2024Mechanic’s Fee – Unable to Repair $120.00
09/25/2024New Ignition Switch $867.25
10/08/2024Compassion Fund $100.00
10/29/2024Clutch Repair$621.66
10/29/2024Tie Rod Ends and Struts$1,179.66 
11/06/2024Heater Core$1063.74
11/13/2024Compassion Grant $100.00
11/22/2024Starter Replacement$586.88
12/06/2024Wheel Cylinders and Drums$950.00
12/10/2024Compassion Grant$100.00
12/24/2024Compassion Grant$100.00
01/29/2025Tent$378.42 
01/30/2025Spark Plugs $223.90 
03/25/2025Compassion Grant$100.00
03/26/2025Compassion Grant$100.00
03/27/2025Compassion Grant$100.00
04/04/2025Compassion Grant$100.00
TOTAL FUNDS GRANTED         $105,974.78

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.

At least 90% of your contributions directly assist those in need within the mobile community. The remaining percentage goes toward operating expenses for the Emergency Fund & Tent Programs. 

Together, we are changing lives.