Housing

Are you at risk of eviction, foreclosure or utility shut-off? 

Please call 609-396-9355 ext.11 to see if we can help.image016

Arm In Arm helps neighbors in need stabilize their housing through security deposit assistance, back rent or foreclosure support, and utilities assistance. Households with complex barriers to stability may be referred to our housing stability case management program for longer term support.

The emergency financial aid we provide helps hundreds of families and individuals remain in place, preventing the negative effects of dislocation, separation, and disruption of school and work. In 2018, we helped 604 families and individuals stabilize their housing situations.

I need housing assistance

Am I eligible?

  • I am facing an imminent threat of homelessness
  • I am a Mercer County resident
  • My annual income does not exceed 2.5 times the federal poverty level for my household size
  • I have found or plan to stay in housing that I can continue to afford (my monthly rent or mortgage payments are less than 70% of my net monthly income)
  • I agree to provide a portion of the amount owed

Please note, Arm In Arm can provide financial assistance to an individual only once in a calendar year and up to two times in five years. Completing the intake process does not guarantee assistance.

Housing assistance walk-in hours
First come, first served

123 East Hanover Street, Trenton:
61 Nassau Street, Princeton:

Arm In Arm staff will be available to intake clients remotely via phone Mondays through Thursdays from 9 am – 3:30 pm. Please call 609-396-9355 x11. You will be prompted to leave a message. Please provide your full name, complete address (including city), and best number for us to return your call. Staff will contact you for an eligibility pre-screening.

What to have with you:

  • Identification
  • Court-filed eviction notice, foreclosure notice, or proof of current homelessness, such as proof of shelter or hotel stay
  • Proof of household income, such as your most recent pay or benefits stub
  • For SSI, TANF, and GA recipients, Mercer County Board of Social Services emergency assistance approval or denial letter and grant letter from the last 30 days

What to expect:
A staff member will ask some initial questions to understand your circumstances. If you meet our eligibility criteria, we will review your case. If approved, we will issue a promissory note and work with you to create a manageable budget plan with your landlord or lender, as well as the court and partner agencies. Once we receive all required documents from you, we will pay the landlord, management company, or lender directly.

I need utilities assistance

Am I eligible?

Please keep in mind we have limited funding. Completing the intake process does not guarantee assistance.

Utility Assistance

Please call 609-396-9355 ext. 11 or ext.17 for pre-screening.
If you are scheduled, please make every effort to keep your appointment and arrive on time. We cannot hold your spot.

What you need to bring if you are scheduled for an appointment:

  • Identification for each household member and the person named on the utility bill
  • Current utility shut-off notice
  • Proof of all household income, such as your most recent pay or benefits stub, for the last 30 days
  • For SSI, TANF, and GA recipients, Mercer County Board of Social Services emergency assistance approval or denial letter and grant letter from the last 30 days

You must bring all required documents if you are scheduled to be seen.

What to expect if you are scheduled for an appointment:

We are able to assist about twenty households a month with utilities. If you are eligible, a staff member will speak with the utility company representative to verify the minimum payment necessary to restore or maintain your service. We will pay the utility company directly as soon as you pay your portion or set up a payment plan to do so. We can provide up to $400 for utilities and may also refer you to other agencies for further assistance.

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