Does "Cash for Clunkers" Hurt the Homeless?

Published August 08, 2009 @ 05:15AM PT

In addition to stimulating the economy and promoting fuel efficiency, the "Cash for Clunkers" program may be having another unintentional effect: hurting the poor and homeless.

Vehicle donation programs, such as Mission Solano in Fairfield, California, rely on vehicle donations (in return for a tax write-off) to raise funds to serve the area's homeless.

"It is too early to know how much we will be hurt by the Cash for Clunkers program, but we know we can't compete with the government's checkbook" said Marlette.

"Our donations were already down due to the economy as people are driving their old cars longer or brokering a sale themselves. The Cash for Clunkers program could shut us down."

Aside from a drop in vehicle donations, Cash for Clunkers could reduce the number of affordable transportation options for low-income families.

And what good is a job if you have no means of getting there?

Share this Post

Comments (5)

How much does the mission get in donated cars? This government program was designed to get new cars sold and old ones off the streets because they are bad for all of us. Creating more debt again (stupid) and cleaner air and gas savings is the goal and they say it is doing that. Your program raised funds in other ways before you thought up the idea. Think us another one. The Cash for Clunkers program will not last long.

We, as homeless are hurting anyway. It is your program and your jobs you are concerned about. Be real. I personally don't know one person who has traded their car for more debt when jobs are not promised to anyone. Maybe like me, people who have old cars that are paid for are holding on to them.

Don't blame a program that is working for some to justify the lack of giving. There is a visable increase in the number of homeless people. A lot of people are hurting, losing jobs, housing foreclosers are contributing to many families becomeing homeless. Whole industries were allowed to move over seas. You are not blameing that for creating homelessness but it has. You are not blaming the War where young men are coming back homeless. You are not screaming at HUD for the lack of low income housing.

Do like our mission - throw some trukeys off a roof or host a duck race, give some other sob story about haw little it cost to feed us or something else for now. Your cars will be back when people can afford to do without them again.

Posted by Cathie Buckner on 08/08/2009 @ 06:34AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Cathie
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Does "Cash for Clunkers" Hurt the Homeless? No. Does it help the economy? No.
Will it help cut emissions? Maybe.
Everyone has their cause and just because some folks want to halt the greenhouse gasses you can't use that as an excuse that it hurts the homeless. There are many other ways people can be charitable to the homeless than to give away their old cars.

In my opinion the affordable transportation option for low income families lies in public transportation, not driving junkers. After all, how can low income families afford to insure their junkers and keep up on repairs and maintenance?

Posted by jack barr on 08/08/2009 @ 08:51AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by jack
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
sorry cash for clunkers is not green

IT DISPOSES OF GOOD CARS and ALLOWS LOW MPG PURCHASE. 22 cars/15 suv (boo). What happens to the clunkers is the big? are they being reused or junked?

It is great for the Economy.

Very old vehicles are not allowed as trade in - they will still be donated.

WE NEED MORE specific FACTS TO ACCCES the impact.

Posted by DARLENE MATTHEWS on 08/09/2009 @ 11:07AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by DARLENE
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
The regulations regarding vehicle donations changed a few years ago. The "Party" ended then for charities when the tax deduction changed from "Book Value" to actual cash sales price. This Cash for Clunkers promotion serves the automakerfirst and reduces dependence on foreign oil just a tidbit.

I haven't seen a return on investment based on increased fuel savings per vehicle but the last thing on their (Congress's) mind was the Homeless. The underlying issue in my mind is the Transportation efficiency of a location. Is the location close to needed services the individual must have? Can a person live without a car there? Is public transportation available? Ask New Yorkers or anyone in an Urban setting about transportation.Thankfully these questions are becoming important.

Ending Carlessness in 10 years? Stimulating questions welcome. Donate the clunker to HUD for SRO's.

Posted by Keith Bender on 08/10/2009 @ 11:20AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Keith
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Here's more on how Cash For Clunkers has or has not hurt charities:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/08/AR2009080801372.html

Mike Muzzi feared the clunkers program would be bad news for the Good News Garage, an affiliate of Lutheran Social Services of New England. But Muzzi, Vermont director of the program that fixes up donated cars and provides them at low cost to struggling families, said some car dealers with potential customers who don't meet stringent cash-for-clunkers requirements have sent business Muzzi's way.

"There's no straight line we can draw between cash-for-clunkers and an increase in donations," Muzzi said. "But we are experiencing an increase in donations. Last year was a record year for us, and this year is on track to do the same."

Posted by Marissa Pherson on 08/10/2009 @ 12:10PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Marissa
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply

Add a Comment

For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

Comment

Check Spelling

Email me when there are new posts to this thread
Comment Policy

Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the ideas covered in the posts. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; that contain ad hominem attacks; or that are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion.

Author

Shannon has worked in homeless shelters and service organizations in San Francisco, the Triangle region of North Carolina, and currently in the greater Boston area. She is a graduate student studying housing and urban policy at Tufts University.