HomeMy WebLinkAboutBack-Up DocumentsThe Martin Luther King
Economic Development Corporation
Wheels to Work Program
Wheels to Work is an initiative of the Martin Luther King Economic Development
Corporation (MLKEDC) that will provide transportation opportunities to low-income
residents living or working in the City of Miami District 5. MLKEDC has partnered
with companies in the automotive industry, i.e. insurance companies, auto maintenance
shops, etc. to implement the Wheels to Work initiative. Clients will receive reliable
automobiles, under a manufacturer's warranty at wholesale prices, affordable insurance
and car maintenance services.
Owning a dependable car can mean the difference between employment and
unemployment, accessing childcare, participating in children's school related
activities, and self-improvement through additional job training or higher education.
District 5 in the City of Miami is home for many "Working Poor Families". The average
Working Poor Family earns between $15,000 and $30,000. Forty percent (40%) of
the working poor's income is spent on transportation related costs as opposed to 24.6%
of the general population.
The public transportation system can be inaccessible or unreliable for parents who
work until 5:OOpm that are dependent on public transportation to pick up their children
from daycare or school by the required pick up time, which is often times nearly
impossible as it is usually a mere hour after the end of the work day, usually 6:OOpm.
Extracurricular activities are often unavailable even where such activities are offered
within the community for families dependent on public transportation.
Many low-income families have no credit history or poor credit which makes them
vulnerable to predatory lenders. Lenders take advantage of the lack of credit or poor
credit by charging high interest rates for used vehicles with poor or no maintenance
records. These cars are often wrought with major costly mechanical problems.
The cost of insurance and car -care services can make it impossible to get and keep
a vehicle. The vehicles often break down before the owner can pay off the loan,
leaving the purchaser without transportation and possibly a judicial judgment further
impeding future opportunities.
MLK Wheels to Work will make available to low-income families affordable, reliable
automobiles, insurance and car -care services enabling them to arrive at work
dependably, take their children to school, shop for groceries and participate in
community activities. Clients "buy" a vehicle from the program by making monthly
payments to MLKEDC they can afford and eliminating the obstacles a Working Poor
Family faces as a car owner and simultaneously allows them to build a good c re d it
history.
Client Eligibility Requirements
► Live or work in City of Miami District 5
► Low to moderate income person
► Have worked for at least 1 year
► Must be 18 years or older
► Have a valid Florida Driver's License and a satisfactory driving
history
► Demonstrate a transportation hardship
Wheels to Work Program
► Receive a vehicle in "A-1" condition based on
family needs (valued at over $15,000 retail) to
include insurance for one years. The client will
only pay approximately $105 a month (after three
years of participating in program client will own
the vehicle).
► Provide sweat equity to a community project
► Attend interactive meetings on: Car Maintenance/ Servicing,
Financial Management, etc.
► Each Client will have a Personal Coach
Impact -Wheels to Work -A Reliable Vehicle
► Improved employment situation
► Late to work less often
► Missing fewer days from work
► More likely to receive a promotion or increase pay
► More confidence and self esteem
► Improved credit score
► Permanent changes in Lives as a results of newfound knowledge