Steering more low-income families toward affordable homeownership opportunities, Habitat for Humanity has recently launched its nationwide “Cars for Homes™” vehicle donation program. Cars for Homes™ takes donated cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs and other vehicles and sells them through automobile auctions, recyclers or salvage yards to raise funds that help build simple, decent homes. Funds generated from vehicle sales benefit the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate and community where the donation is made.

Habitat began its Cars for Homes™ program in the fall of 2003 in the Seattle area. Since that time, car donations have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars that ultimately help build homes in partnership with low-income families.

Donors can call the Cars for Homes™ toll-free number or process their car donation online. Donor contact, title and vehicle information is collected and, upon acceptance of the donation, arrangements are made for the vehicle, keys and title to be picked up for processing. Habitat for Humanity receives between 70 and 80 percent of the sales proceeds after towing fees and other expenses. Donors receive an acknowledgement letter for their car donation and can check with the Internal Revenue Service, or their tax advisor, for information on the tax deductibility of their donation.

More information on how to donate a car, truck, boat, RV or other vehicle to help eliminate substandard housing can be obtained by calling Habitat for Humanity Cars for Homes™ at 1-877-277-HFHI (4344) toll free, or at http://www.carsforhomes.org.