Who Is Eligible for Vehicle Assistance?
Keys to Hope Foundation helps San Diego County residents who face significant transportation barriers and cannot reasonably obtain a dependable vehicle on their own. Our goal is to help people access the transportation they need for greater stability and independence.
You may be eligible if you:
- Live in San Diego County when you apply and when a final decision is made.
- Have a significant need for reliable transportation that your current options do not adequately meet.
- Face financial hardship that makes obtaining a dependable vehicle difficult.
- Can explain how a vehicle would help you meet essential needs, such as getting to work, treatment, recovery support, healthcare, education, housing services, reentry obligations, or family responsibilities.
Applicants may be experiencing housing instability, rebuilding their lives after incarceration, pursuing or maintaining recovery, working toward employment, or facing another substantial transportation barrier. You do not need to fit only one of these examples to apply.
Before a Vehicle can be Transferred
A selected recipient must personally hold a valid driver’s license and have the legally required automobile insurance in place. Applicants working toward obtaining or reinstating a license may be considered conditionally, but a vehicle cannot be transferred until these requirements are met.
Applicants should also have a realistic plan for the ongoing costs of owning a vehicle. There is no purchase price or required donation to receive a vehicle. After transfer, the recipient is responsible for insurance, fuel, registration renewals, routine maintenance, and future repairs.
How are Recipients Selected?
Keys to Hope considers each eligible applicant’s transportation need, financial circumstances, available alternatives, the expected impact of a vehicle, ability to manage ongoing costs, and whether an available vehicle is suitable for their needs. Assistance is not first come, first served. A referral or determination of eligibility does not guarantee a vehicle.
We may ask for documents to verify your identity, San Diego County residency, transportation need, and other information relevant to your application. We seek only information needed to evaluate eligibility; detailed medical or treatment records are generally not necessary.
Applications are expected to open on or about January 1, 2027. Visit our application page for the current application period and an explanation of the quarterly review process.