HOUSING INITIATIVES OF PRINCETON CHARITABLE TRUST

HOUSING INITIATIVES OF PRINCETON (HIP) ENVISIONS A DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY WHERE ALL FAMILIES CAN AFFORD TO LIVE AND THRIVE. WE HELP MERCER COUNTY FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS FACING EVICTION OR HOMELESSNESS BUILD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, BY PROVIDING STABLE HOUSING, ACCESS TO BETTER-PAYING JOBS, AND DEEP WRAPAROUND SUPPORT. HOUSING INITIATIVES OF PRINCETON HAS THREE MAIN PROGRAMS: 1) OUR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM WITH COMPREHENSIVE WRAPAROUND SERVICES HELPS FAMILIES WHO LACK THE INCOME AND CREDIT SCORES TO QUALIFY FOR LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING, OR WHO FACE MULTI-YEAR WAITING LISTS FOR AN AFFORDABLE APARTMENT IN OUR AREA. WHILE LIVING IN HIP'S HOUSING FOR 1-2 YEARS AND PAYING 30% OF THEIR INCOME IN RENT, EACH ADULT WORKS WITH A CASE MANAGER, HOUSING NAVIGATOR, CAREER AND FINANCIAL COACHES, VOLUNTEERS, AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS WHO OFFER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO REACH PERSONAL GOALS, GRADUATE INTO AN AFFORDABLE HOME OF THEIR OWN, AND TRANSFORM THEIR FAMILY'S FUTURE. IN 2025, THIS PROGRAM SERVED 28 PARENTS AND CHILDREN FROM 12 FAMILIES. 2) HIP'S EVICTION PREVENTION PROGRAM PROVIDES RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHO HAVE FALLEN BEHIND IN THEIR RENT DUE TO A ONE-TIME EMERGENCY, AND PROVIDES SECURITY DEPOSITS, WHICH ARE OFTEN A BARRIER TO SECURING HOUSING. IN 2025, HIP HELPED OVER 368 INDIVIDUALS FROM ACROSS MERCER COUNTY THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. HIP MAXIMIZES OUR HELP TO THOSE WE SERVE BY WORKING IN CONCERT WITH OTHER LOCAL HELPING AGENCIES AS PART OF THE PRINCETON HOUSING STABILITY COALITION TO JOINTLY FUND REQUESTS FOR EVICTION PREVENTION FUNDS. 3) HIP'S PRO HOUSING ADVOCACY LEVERAGES OUR OVER TWENTY YEARS OF FRONTLINE EXPERIENCE TO INFORM LOCAL AND STATE POLICIES AND INITIATIVES THAT AIM TO MAKE HOUSING MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.