Princeton Approves Additional Funding For Rental Assistance

Princeton NJ

22 December, 2020

3:06 PM

Description

PRINCETON, NJ — The Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIP) has secured a second round of funding to help township residents facing eviction during the pandemic. Princeton Town Council passed a resolution on Dec. 14, agreeing to the assistance. The funding will come from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) the town received from the federal government to promote housing stability. "Too many Princeton residents have been hit hard by this pandemic and need some help to pay their rent. HIP has been providing Emergency Rental Assistance for years and is well situated to administer the $319,527 of the CDBG that will go directly to landlords on behalf of tenants in need, mayor Liz Lampert said in a statement. As part of the rental assistance, the Princeton Landlord Tenant Mediation Program (PLTMP) was recently created. It will allow landlords and tenants to resolve the issue of outstanding rent and reach an agreement, giving HIP the ability to extend the financial assistance. Retired Judge Phil Carchman, Judge Debbie Poritz, and others helped in crafting the PLTMP. "It's our hope that landlords will recognize the role that they can play in keeping their fellow Princetonians housed by accepting a discounted rental payment in some cases," HIP Board member Sarah Torian said. Princeton officials said the need for rental assistance has increased significantly in 2020 due to the pandemic. Due to the funds made available in rental assistance, many families were able to safely stay home during the pandemic, said Carol Golden, Chair of HIP. "We have been heartened by the strong support we have received from community residents and town leaders who have helped us craft this new approach and who are helping us ensure that Princeton remains a diverse community where people from all walks of life can thrive," she said. HIP is a community-based non-profit organization, that has been providing transitionalhousing and services to low-income working families in the community. Tenants unable to pay rent due to the economic impact of COVID-19 can call 609-921-2328 for assistance. Those who wish to apply for assistance, can go to the HIP websitewww.housinginitiativesofprince... to submit an application in English or Spanish. Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email [email protected] Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.