Responsible Rides
A Partnership Between
Two Virginia CAAs Launch Affordable Car Purchase Program
Every year low-income families try to buy vehicles, but are unable to because of debt or credit challenges. Families dealing with limited income need their dollars to be used wisely. Because of this identified need in the community, Total Action Against Poverty and New River Community Action have partnered with Freedom First Credit Union, Freedom First Insurance and Enterprise Car Sales to develop a car purchase program for low-income families called Responsible Rides. Cars are selected for reliability, mileage, and affordability from the Enterprise fleet list and other reliable sources. Affordable financing is available through Freedom First Credit Union.
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News Coverage
Five mothers buy car through “Responsible Rides” program (WSLS NBC10)
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Program arranges for cars for low-income families: Responsible Rides plans to offer up to 100 affordable automobiles in the next two years (Roanoke Times)
Additional Resources for Affordable Car Programs
Annie E. Casey Foundation Publications
• Affordable Car Ownership Programs: Transporting Families Toward Financial Stability and Success
• Shifting Into Gear: A Comprehensive Guide to Creating a Car-Ownership Program
• Credit Unions Can Expand Their Business by Providing Affordable Car Loans
On the Road: Car Ownership as an Asset Building Strategy for Reducing Transportation Related Barriers to Work from The Insight Center for Community Economic Development (formerly the National Economic Development and Law Center)
Other Examples of CAA Car Programs
• JumpStart - WestCAP (WI) has established JumpStart to enable low-income families to purchase late-model, energy efficient cars that will meet their need for transportation to employment or employment training.
• Bridges to Success – Bergen County Community Action Partnership (NJ) sponsors Bridges to Success to provide former welfare recipients with access to credit and transportation, as well as other services that can help remove barriers to work and self-sufficiency.
• Wheels to Work Loan Program was established by Garrett County CAC (MD) as a loan program to help families purchase a vehicle as they move from welfare to work.