Policy Recommendations from the Field

Defining “The Field”

•Represented by 25 organizations dedicated to providing reliable transportation to low-income families.

•This group spent two days in September discussing the issues that effect “the field” and how the organizations can be more effective.

Policy Recommendations from the Field

Reduce Barriers to Viable Low Income Car Ownership

1. Modify the regulations of the current public assistance programs that limit or provide disincentives for LICO.

2. Limit the use of credit scores in determining insurability for automobiles.

3. Require car lenders to disclose their fees and interest charges over the life of the loan.

4. Broaden and enforce usury laws.

Policy Recommendations from the Field

Offer Ownership Supports for Low Income Families

1. Individual tax credit for car purchase, possibly on a sliding scale, from older to newer, more fuel efficient cars.2. Fuel stamps to offset high gas costs.3. Make car purchase an eligible use for all public Individual

Development Account Match (IDA) funds in TANF, AFIA and ORR programs.

4. Provide car insurance support similar to flood insurance.

Policy Recommendations from the Field

Provide Other Incentives Which Support Low Income Car Ownership

1. CRA credit for banks making Low Income car loans2. Loan guarantees for prime lender LI car loans3. Develop a CRA type model for car insurance companies4. LICO Tax Credits, modeled after the Low Income Housing

Tax Credits, that non-profits could sell to buy down the capital costs of acquiring newer, reliable economy cars

Policy Recommendations from the Field

Provide or Re-direct Funding to Support LICO Programs across America

1. LICO Demonstration in Senate TANF and CongresswomanGwen Moore’s Car Act

2. Modify JARC and WIA rules to strengthen LICO support

Policy Recommendations from the Field

Provide or Re-direct Funding to Support LICO Programs across America

4. Identify a federal “home” for LICO programs5. LICO Tax Credit Program noted above6. Support for replication of successful LICO models