Port Jobs

Working Cars for Working People in King County

Working Wheels combines affordable cars, money management training, and a low-interest auto loan to put low-income workers in the driver’s seat of their own cars.  That way, they can access better career opportunities as well as improve their financial skills.

And it works.  Port Jobs’ evaluation of the program found that car owners earned more money after buying cars and that a small percentage – only 2.5% - had defaulted on their car loans.

Nearly 500 cars have been sold to King County workers since the program’s inception in 2002. The cars are typically former fleet vehicles donated by local governments and reconditioned by Working Wheels.  Most sell for $900 to $3,000.

Port Jobs spent more than two years researching, designing and creating Working Wheels.  The program is operated by Solid Ground, a non-profit community action agency.

Note:  Due to lack of funding and car donations, Working Wheels is closed for summer 2010. Solid Ground hopes to reopen the program for business in the fall.