They said they are homeless, not jobless. The phone and car are probably needed for them to keep their job. If they sell the car, they'll have to buy a bus pass, and then use taxis to go places where the buses don't go. That will quickly end up more expensive than gas and car insurance, not to mention the fact that they'll have nowhere to sleep. Also I'm not sure about OOP, but I pay $18 per month for my cell plan, and that includes 5 GB of data. Having some way to be reached, especially if you don't have a permanent address, is definitely worth the measly sum of $18. Now, this person is definitely still a CB, there's no doubt about that. But the car and phone aren't the issue.