Prevention

Project HOPE – Homeless Outreach and Prevention Effort

This program provides assertive outreach and prevention services. Its goal is to identify and work with families and individuals who have multiple problems and who need services to prevent their imminent homelessness.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

The Mercer Alliance co-chairs the EITC campaign with the City of Trenton. Earned Income Tax Credit results are overwhelming success; with over 41.5 million dollars of Earned Income Tax Dollars were returned to citizens of Mercer County. This is an increase of $3.2 million or 8% over the prior year. The four-year data from Greater Trenton Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign shows an 18.4% increase through EITC and Child Tax Credit (CTC) filings.

Mercer County is reaping the benefits of outreach efforts since 2005, when the Mercer Alliance joined the Greater Trenton EITC and Asset Building Coalition to increase the number of Mercer County households filing for Earned Income Tax Credits refunds. The Alliance conducted a media campaign to increase awareness of EITC; training for Mercer County caseworkers on EITC and helping their clients file for it; training of tax preparers for free IRS sites; building partnerships with banks; and outreach to publicize EITC.

Many volunteers are needed to fill out tax returns for low-income workers. We have a special need for bi-lingual volunteers.

For more information please visit: www.earnedincometaxcredit.org

Building Financial Assets

Helping low-wage workers gain more financial resources is a vital component of the Mercer Alliance’s efforts to prevent homelessness.

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