There are many people  who have had to get on the road. Many reasons. Lack of affordable housing is the top reason, followed by abusive relations, then health reasons (mold problems, chronic fatigue, liver damage, etc.) and just for joy. These folks have nowhere to go. So they take to the road. But finances are tight. What does one do when the vehicle breaks down? How do you live in a vehicle?

There is an organization which helps all in need HOWA (Homes on Wheel Alliance). What a blessing.

Homes On Wheels Alliance, Inc. (HOWA), a charitable 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, strives to help a significant portion of the American population who are being squeezed between the rapidly rising cost of shelter on one hand, and either stagnant wages or too-small of a retirement on the other. Through no fault of their own, they are at serious risk of losing their homes and apartments. We serve this community by providing:

Safe and secure homes on wheels,
Improvements and repairs to their mobile dwellings,
Transition assistance into a financially- and environmentally-sustainable lifestyle, and
Opportunities to connect with and give back to the nomadic tribe, area communities, and public lands.
We believe that only an “alliance” of interested parties can hope to solve a problem of this magnitude.

This is a comfortable, caring group of people who can help with all problems of living in your car/truck/van. Each year they hold a huge group gathering to share information and group help. Last year I attended the women’s gathering and it was great.

It is getting progressively harder to park on streets overnight. It is illegal to sleep in your car in Los Angeles, for example. And in most other places you can be woken by police and told to move on.

There are businesses which allow overnight camping (Cabelas, some Walmarts, some casinos, some rest stops, and Cracker Barrel). This is good until the local motel owners and campgrounds fuss with the regulations and prohibit it.

HOWA is a fine organization. I have been following them since 2007. If you have money or land or vehicle to donate please do.