Initiatives

Outreach

We listen to those experiencing homelessness, find out what they most need and form our action agenda based on meeting those needs.

Prevention

People fall behind on their rent or utility payments for many reasons. Mercer County has developed a system of prevention services to respond to such crises and to keep people in their homes. The Alliance is targeting prevention resources to those who may not seek out help, but are indeed vulnerable to becoming homeless. By including case management, landlord mediation services and more flexible grants, we make sure that people get connected to services that will keep them from becoming homeless in the future.

Permanent Housing

Indeed, we need to think outside the box to ensure an adequate supply of rental homes affordable to those whose incomes are well below the area median. Federal and state housing vouchers support people who were formerly homeless in a wide variety of projects in Mercer County. The State’s affordable housing law, amended in 2008, mandates that 13% of affordable homes be devoted to those with very low incomes, which we believe should be devoted to those who have been homeless. We also advocate for projects that have worked in other states, such as Smart Housing Zones, that will incentives the building of homes for working families.