• Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIPCT) board members procure and coordinate in-kind and financial contributions from a consortium of Princeton congregations, concerned individuals and businesses in the community, foundations and trusts.
• HIPCT organizes fundraising events (i.e. wine tasting, storytelling, rent party) to raise revenue to help underwrite the services provided clients and for operating expenses. HIPCT also accepts donations on its website via PayPal.
• HIPCT pays below-market rent to Trinity Church for the use of the two apartments in Prescott House, and to the Township of Princeton for the use of an apartment owned by them. HIPCT is also responsible for utilities and routine maintenance for the leased apartments.
• HIPCT only accepts clients who are employed or employable. Clients contribute to the rent based on their ability to pay, building the routine and record of regular rent payment that will assist them to transition to permanent housing.
• Applicants facing homelessness are referred to HIPCT by social services agencies or they contact HIPCT during a general search of affordable housing options.

Steps in the selection process are:

1. An Application is completed and delivered to HIPCT
   
2. In-person interview with HIPCT’s Selection Committee
   
3. Authorization for background check for eviction, credit & criminal history
   
4. Contact references (personal and employer)
   
5. Verify income*
   
6. Selection Committee reaches a consensus and makes a recommendation to the HIPCT board for acceptance or decline
   
7. Once accepted, a Transitional Occupancy Agreement is signed by the occupant and the chair of HIPCT.

HIPCT’s motto is to bridge the gap between homelessness and hope one family at a time. We serve those individuals and families most likely to benefit from working in partnership with HIPCT and its network of supporters.

*Applicants are income-qualified using New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Affordable Housing Regional Income Limits for Mercer County, NJ

• Housing Initiatives of Princeton Charitable Trust (HIPCT) provides transitional housing for 12-24 months to low-income working individuals and families in our community.
• HIPCT leases two apartments owned by Trinity Church and a unit owned by the Township of Princeton for transitional housing. We are committed to providing our clients with a safe and healthy place to live in this community where they work and where their children attend school.
• We support our clients by providing a professional case manager and an HIPCT board liaison to work with them. Our supportive services include:
  
  • An apartment with subsidized rent for up to twenty-four months.
  • Utilities are paid or cost shared
  • A computer and Internet connection
  • Individualized case management
  • Budgeting
  • Job search activities
  • Referral to credit counseling
  • Educational assistance
  • Access to professional therapy
  • Access to “dress for success”
  • Access to food pantry of partner organizations
• We assist our clients with security deposit and/or the rent required to secure permanent housing at the time of transition from HIPCT.
• Graduates of the program and select low-income tenants in the community might be assisted with rent to prevent the loss of housing and becoming homeless.

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