{"id":70,"date":"2020-09-22T23:38:50","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T23:38:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chronicpoverty.org\/?p=70"},"modified":"2020-09-22T23:38:50","modified_gmt":"2020-09-22T23:38:50","slug":"free-automotive-repair-for-low-income-families-in-minneapolis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chronicpoverty.org\/blog\/free-automotive-repair-for-low-income-families-in-minneapolis\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Automotive Repair For Low-Income Families In Minneapolis"},"content":{"rendered":"
Reliable transportation is something that is taken for granted throughout much of America.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In Middle-class America, many youths have their parents co-sign on a car loan. This provides them with a reliable set of wheels while simultaneously building their credit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These teenagers learn that paying for a car is simply the price of going to work. They learn to budget for oil changes and the monthly car payment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Throughout college, these young people continue to invest in their vehicles, often working part-time jobs for the sole purpose of paying for their car.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For those below the poverty line, a car is an unfathomable luxury.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These people often struggle with monthly cash flow (which may, ironically, be due to unreliable transportation), and this low monthly cash flow keeps them from qualifying for an automotive loan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If they do get a loan, it is generally through a “buy here pay here” type of lot. These lots charge astronomical interest rates on vehicles that have frequent mechanical problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On the rare case that someone can afford both the high payments and the weekly repair bills, this might be one way for someone below the poverty line to buy a car.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, these cars typically don’t last very long, and the cycle continues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The other option is to purchase an older car for only a few thousand dollars.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If someone can save $2,000 and purchase a high-mileage car, this car will likely have regular repairs required to keep it running.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n And, should it fail to start, it could leave the owner stranded and late for work. Sometimes this leads to them losing their job.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Since reliable transportation is vital to escape the poverty cycle, what are some ways that Americans with lower monthly incomes can improve their transportation options?<\/span><\/p>\n We should not minimize the challenges that the poverty class in America faces. There are often underlying health problems, crushing medical bills, single parenthood, and drug use that combine to create insurmountable challenges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In these cases, each challenge should be taken on, one at a time, with the view to improving the multi-generational outlook.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Reversing Poverty can be a decades-long process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In Minneapolis, several small automotive shops offer support for low-income families.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some of these shops offer basic oil changes and maintenance, while others offer more in-depth repairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By offering low-cost car repairs to low-income families, these charities hope to improve their families’ opportunities to improve their situation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n