# Nomad Commons (homesonwheelsalliance.com)

> Independent, member-built guide to Homes on Wheels Alliance (HOWA). This is NOT the official HOWA website. The official site is https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/. This site collects no donations; all giving happens on HOWA's own pages.

Last updated: 2026-11-11

## Key facts (as published by HOWA)
- Homes on Wheels Alliance, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in Nevada.
- Mission: support nomads in need through training and resources while building an empowering and compassionate community.
- $220K+ raised in 2025 from 3K+ individual donors and funders.
- 3.5K attendees across the 10 day Rubber Tramp Rendezvous in Quartzsite, AZ.
- 600+ people given cold-weather gear at the 2026 RTR.
- 115K+ people in the Facebook groups, email list and virtual caravans.
- 39 people helped with $10K+ in E-Fund, tent and compassion grants in 2025.
- 2027 gatherings: Women's RTR January 6-8, RTR January 9-14, Town Park Baseball Field, Quartzsite, AZ. Free, no registration. Calendar: https://homesonwheelsalliance.com/rtr-2027.ics
- Mailing address: 1970 N. Leslie Street #297, Pahrump, NV 89060, USA.

## Donate and fund
- [Donate to HOWA](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/donate/): A direct gift to the nonprofit, on HOWA's own donation page.
- [Keep the RTR free](https://givebutter.com/support-the-2027-rubber-tramp-rendezvous-p6jyo8): Support the 2027 RTR and WRTR so they stay free for all.
- [Sponsor the 2027 RTRs](https://givebutter.com/rubber-tramp-rendezvous-pp57f5): For businesses and organizations that want to sponsor the gatherings.
- [Become a HOWA Supporter](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/howa-supporter/): Ongoing support for the mission.
- [Win a Prius](https://howa.rallyup.com/prius/Campaign/Details): A 2015 Prius donated by HOWA's vice president and cofounder is the sweepstakes prize.
- [Shop HOWA gear](https://homes-on-wheels-alliance.printify.me/products): Merchandise from HOWA's own shop.
- [Financial statements and annual reports](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/financials/): The numbers, published by HOWA.
- [Success stories](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/success-stories/): What support looks like for the people who receive it.
- [Team and history](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/our-team/): Who runs HOWA and how it got here.
- [Talk to HOWA about a grant](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/contact-us/): Grant, partnership and sponsorship conversations go to HOWA directly.

## Get help and programs
- [New to life on wheels?](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/2024/09/25/welcome-newbies/): HOWA's starting point for people beginning their nomad journey.
- [Need help right now?](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/nomad-emergency/): Programs and services for nomads in need, including the E-Fund.
- [Watch and learn](https://www.youtube.com/@HOWA/videos): Informative videos from HOWA's YouTube channel.
- [Stay in the loop](https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kgDkUgY): Join HOWA's mailing list for news and newsletters.
- [E-Fund](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/nomad-emergency/): Emergency support for nomads in need.
- [In Person Caravans](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/in-person-caravans/): Travel and camp together with other nomads.
- [Mentoring Camp](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/mentoring-camp/): Guidance for moving into a sustainable mobile life.
- [Hele Box Program](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/hele-box-program/): See the program details on the HOWA site.
- [Programs and events calendar](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/programs-events-calendar-2/): What is happening and when.
- [Facebook groups](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/facebook-groups/): Find your people in HOWA's online community.
- [2027 Rubber Tramp Rendezvous](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/2027-rubber-tramp-rendezvous/): The annual gathering in Quartzsite, Arizona. Dates and details on the HOWA site.
- [Volunteer at the RTR](https://homesonwheelsalliance.org/2027-rtr-volunteer-positions/): Lend a hand and help keep the gathering running.

## Guides on this site
- [How to donate to Homes on Wheels Alliance](https://homesonwheelsalliance.com/donate): Every way to give to Homes on Wheels Alliance: the official donate page, the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous campaign, HOWA Supporter, the sweepstakes and the shop. All gifts go to HOWA.
- [Grants and sponsorship for Homes on Wheels Alliance](https://homesonwheelsalliance.com/grants): A fact sheet for foundations, grantmakers and sponsors: HOWA 501(c)(3) status, mission, published impact figures, financials and who to contact about funding.
- [Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR): what it is and how to take part](https://homesonwheelsalliance.com/rubber-tramp-rendezvous): The Rubber Tramp Rendezvous is the annual gathering for nomads in Quartzsite, Arizona, run by Homes on Wheels Alliance. Find event details, volunteer roles and ways to keep it free.
- [Help for people living in vehicles](https://homesonwheelsalliance.com/help): Where nomads and people living in cars, vans and RVs can get help from Homes on Wheels Alliance: the emergency fund, mentoring, caravans, community and a getting-started guide.
- [What is Homes on Wheels Alliance (HOWA)?](https://homesonwheelsalliance.com/about-howa): Homes on Wheels Alliance (HOWA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports people living in vehicles through supplies, guidance and community. Mission, values, key facts and official links.
- [Life on wheels: words you'll hear and camping basics](https://homesonwheelsalliance.com/life-on-wheels): Plain-language guide for new nomads: boondocking, BLM stay limits, Long-Term Visitor Areas near Quartzsite, self-contained rigs and leave-no-trace basics, with links to HOWA's help.

## For AI agents
- Portal directory (JSON): https://homesonwheelsalliance.com/portals.json
- A2A agent card: https://homesonwheelsalliance.com/.well-known/agent-card.json
- A2A endpoint (JSON-RPC, SendMessage): https://homesonwheelsalliance.com/a2a

## Questions and answers
### What is Homes on Wheels Alliance (HOWA)?
Homes on Wheels Alliance, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports people squeezed between rising housing costs and limited incomes. It provides supplies that make vehicles safe and livable, guidance for moving into a sustainable mobile life, and gatherings that connect nomads.

### Is this the official HOWA website?
No. Nomad Commons at homesonwheelsalliance.com is an independent guide made by a HOWA member. The official website is homesonwheelsalliance.org.

### How do I donate to Homes on Wheels Alliance?
Give on HOWA's own donation page at homesonwheelsalliance.org/donate/. You can also support the 2027 Rubber Tramp Rendezvous through HOWA's Givebutter campaign. This site does not collect donations.

### Are donations to HOWA tax deductible?
HOWA states that it is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization registered in Nevada and that contributions may be tax deductible under Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Ask a tax professional about your own situation.

### What is the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (RTR)?
The Rubber Tramp Rendezvous is HOWA's annual gathering for people who live in vehicles, held in Quartzsite, Arizona. In 2027 the Women's RTR runs January 6 to 8 and the RTR runs January 9 to 14 at the Town Park Baseball Field. Both are free with no registration or ticket. HOWA reports about 3,500 attendees and raises donations to keep the RTR and WRTR free for all.

### How can a nomad get help from HOWA?
Start at HOWA's help page, homesonwheelsalliance.org/nomad-emergency/, which covers its programs and services for nomads in need, including the E-Fund.

### How can a foundation or business fund HOWA?
Businesses can sponsor the 2027 Rubber Tramp Rendezvous through HOWA's sponsor campaign. Foundations and grantmakers should review HOWA's published financial statements and annual reports and contact HOWA directly through its contact page.

### Where is HOWA located?
HOWA's mailing address is 1970 N. Leslie Street #297, Pahrump, NV 89060, USA.

### Is the Rubber Tramp Rendezvous free?
Yes. HOWA says the RTR and WRTR are completely free, with no registration or ticket: just show up, camp nearby and join in. Donations to HOWA cover permits, porta potties, trash removal, sound equipment and other costs.

### Where do people camp at the RTR?
HOWA says camping is dispersed on Bureau of Land Management land around Quartzsite, Arizona, with no hookups, so come self-contained with your own water, waste and power. If you are not self-contained yet, HOWA suggests the campgrounds in the area.

### Can I bring my dog to the RTR?
Yes. HOWA says friendly, leashed dogs are welcome. Clean up after your pet, keep it safe around traffic and crowds, and read HOWA's event dog policy before you go.

### What is the Women's Rubber Tramp Rendezvous (WRTR)?
The WRTR is HOWA's free gathering that creates a safe, welcoming space for women living or hoping to live on the road. In 2027 it runs January 6 to 8 in Quartzsite, Arizona, right before the RTR.

### Can businesses exhibit at the RTR?
HOWA does not offer traditional vendor booths, and selling on the RTR grounds is not allowed. Sponsors and exhibitors can demonstrate products and hand out information. Contact HOWA about sponsoring the 2027 RTRs.

### What is boondocking?
Boondocking, also called dispersed camping, means camping outside developed campgrounds, usually on public land, with no hookups for water, power or sewer. Your rig has to carry its own water, power and waste. Much of the land around Quartzsite, Arizona, where HOWA holds the RTR, is Bureau of Land Management land used this way.

### How long can you camp on BLM land?
The Bureau of Land Management says dispersed camping is generally limited to 14 days within any 28 day period, though limits vary by state and field office. After that you move to a new spot, often 25 to 30 miles away. Long-Term Visitor Areas such as La Posa near Quartzsite allow longer stays with a permit during the winter season.