Frequently Asked Questions

What is homelessness?
How can I tell if someone is homeless?
Is it really possible to end homelessness in Mercer County?
Isn't homelessness an urban problem?
Why is there a housing crisis?
What can I do to help end homelessness in Mercer County?

What is homelessness?

People are considered homeless if they do not have a permanent place to live or if they are living in a place not intended to be permanent (shelter, motel, car, abandoned building). They are at risk of becoming homeless if they are about to lose their housing, have lost their source of income or are being discharged from an institution or hospital with no address.

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How can I tell if someone is homeless?

You can’t tell if someone is homeless just by looking at him or her. Some are living in abandoned houses or living in their cars. Some are living in motels, shelters and transitional housing.

Many others whom you see daily - as cashiers, food service workers, retail sales clerks, house or office cleaners, gardeners, child care workers, home health and nurses aides - are at risk because illness, a cut in hours, or the loss of one paycheck could spiral them into losing their home.

Another group of invisible homeless are children in foster care reaching the age of eighteen, when they are no longer eligible for housing through the foster care system.

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Is it really possible to end homelessness in Mercer County?

While ambitious, our goal of ending homelessness in Mercer County is achievable. Across the country, communities have made enormous strides, achieving 30%, even 50% decreases in their homeless population in only a few years. The Mercer Alliance has adopted strategies proven successful elsewhere to end homelessness in our community.

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Isn’t homelessness an urban problem?

Homelessness cuts across all social, economic, ethnic and racial lines. As housing costs soar, many people working at entry level or minimum-to-moderate wage jobs cannot afford to maintain housing and are losing their homes in both suburbs and cities. Many families and individuals are being forced to move to worse neighborhoods or into motels and shelters.

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Why is there a housing crisis?

Rental prices in Mercer County are among the highest in the State. A typical two bedroom rental is $1,120. There is a shortage of rental units and those units that are available are out of reach for many people who earn minimum-to-moderate wages or are on fixed incomes, such as social security or disability.

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What can I do to help end homelessness in Mercer County?

The first thing to do is become knowledgeable about homelessness in Mercer County. Then be sure to visit our How Can I Help page for a list of ways you can get involved.

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If you have questions about homelessness that you would like answered, send them to info@merceralliance.org.