Habitat turns unwanted vehicles into homes

The car you no longer drive can now be turned into a home for a family in Yuma County.

In its Cars for Homes program, Habitat for Humanity accepts donations of a vehicle that it then sells to raise money for the homes Habitat affiliates build for low-income families around the county.

The program has been in effect for some time, but Habitat's Yuma affiliate will be making a push in the weeks and months ahead for vehicle donations from Yuma-area residents, said Debra Hunter, business manager for the Yuma affiliate.

Operable and inoperable cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and even golf carts will be accepted, she said. Donors must have titles to the vehicles and must own them free and clear.

Hunter hopes the program will have a side benefit of community beautification by enabling residents to remove junked vehicles rusting at curbside or in their backyards or driveways.

"You see these old cars that are just sitting there, and people don't know what to do with them. And we have an answer now."

Donors receive an acknowledgement letter for their vehicle donations that they may use for tax purposes at the end of the year, Hunter added.

To begin the donation process, call 1-877-277-4344 or log on to www.carsforhomes.org.

Once Habitat accepts a vehicle for donation, it makes arrangements for the vehicle, keys and title to be picked up by a national network of tow trucks, Hunter said.

Habitat will then sell the vehicle or, depending on the condition, have it salvaged. The Habitat affiliate serving the community or county from which the vehicle is donated will receive 82-1/2 percent of the proceeds from sale or salvage, Hunter said.

"It goes right into our housing fund."

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit organization that uses volunteer labor to help the poor or homeless construct homes for themselves.

The Yuma affiliate was formed in 1997 and has built 14 homes.