• Using public transportation in some ways can cost more than owning a car. Without a car, everyday living, running errands and getting from point A to B becomes mentally and physically cumbersome. Not owning a car can be limit you in the job opportunities available to you. However, there are several programs that offer financial assistance and grants for buying cars.
  
  

Bonnie CLAC

• Bonnie CLAC is a program centered on the philosophy that people's ability to travel easily to work, doctor's appointments and pick their children up from school directly impacts how they live their lives. "Since 2001, Bonnie CLAC has guaranteed more than $13 million in car loans and helped nearly 1,000 people buy cars in the New England area," according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The first step in the application process is a financial counseling. To qualify, applicants must be employed, have credit issues that prevent them from buying a car the traditional way and reside in New Hampshire, or the adjoining areas of Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts.
  
  Bonnie CLAC
  Moody Building
  24 Opera House Square
  Suite 401, Box 10
  Claremont, NH 03743
  (866) 455-CLAC (2522)
  bonnieclac.org/
  
  

Vehicles for Change

• Vehicles for Change accepts car donations to assist low income families living in Maryland, Virginia and Washington. D.C. with car ownership "Since October 1999 Vehicles For Change has changed the lives of more than 9000 individuals, awarding over 3000 cars to people in need," says Martin Swartz, Executive Director of Vehicles for Change.
  
  Studies performed by the program administrators show that 73 percent of program participants were able to get better jobs and an average of nearly $5,000 increase to their annual salary. To Qualify for Vehicles for Change, you must be have a clean driving record, be employed or have a verifiable offer and a reasonably clean criminal background.
  
  Vehicles for Change
  5230 Washington Blvd.
  Halethorpe, MD 21227
  (410) 242-9674
  vehiclesforchange.org/
  
  

Working Wheels

• This program is designed mainly to keep people from losing their jobs due to transportation issues.To qualify for the Working Wheels program, you must demonstrate the need for owning a car in relation to getting to and from your job. The original program is open only to Washington state residents; however, independent variations of working wheels programs offering a range of donated cars, donated motorbikes and donated trucks for commercial use can be found in various states. Contact your local chamber of commerce to find out if there is a program operating in your area.
  
  Working Wheels c/o Solid Ground
  1501 N 45th St.
  Seattle, WA 98103
  (206) 716-3855
  working-wheels.org/