Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIP)

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Our History

Because a homeless woman in the late 1990’s repeatedly sought refuge at Trinity Church in Princeton, hearts were touched and a movement was begun that led to the birth of Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIP). A timeline:

1999 -Trinity Church Associate Rector Kit Sherrill launched the task force that identified a critical need for transitional housing in Princeton.

2001 - Housing Initiatives of Princeton was organized as a LLC under the auspices of Princeton Outreach Projects, Inc. a 501(C) (3) non-profit founded by Trinity and Nassau Churches in 1992. The Rev. Margaret (Peggy) Prescott was co-outreach minister at Trinity and became founding chair of HIP. She and the new Board for HIP began to lay the ground work to assist local working families facing homelessness; its goals were to:

• Raise awareness of the challenges facing the working poor in Princeton
• Provide a longer-term transitional housing program for homeless or near homeless working families in Princeton

Founding congregations Trinity Episcopal Church, Nassau Presbyterian Church, and partner HomeFront were quickly joined by:

• Princeton Friends Meeting
• Princeton United Methodist Church
• The Jewish Center of Princeton
• Unitarian Universalist Congregation (left the board in 2005).
• Nassau Christian Center (financial contribution)
• Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Mercer County, a partner since 2007

2003 - Under the leadership of Trinity Church’s Rector, The Rev. Leslie Smith, The Vestry approved the renovation and lease of the Trinity owned house at 11 Mercer Street, Princeton to HIP for transitional housing use.

2004 - Renovations were completed to 11 Mercer Street’s 1st floor apartment, a community effort! HIP’s first family moved-in. The apartment was dedicated in memory of Ms. Tu-Anh Pham, Princeton resident and a victim of the 9/11 tragedy in the WTC.

2005 - Renovations completed to the 2nd floor apartment. HIP’s second family moved-in. The house was dedicated as Prescott House, in honor of Peggy Prescott.

2010 - HIP transitions from the POPI’s family of programs; becomes an independent 501 C 3 non-profit entity.

2011 - The Vestry of Trinity Church reclaims Prescott House for clergy housing. HIP enters into an agreement with Princeton Township to lease a Princeton Township owned and unoccupied unit for transitional housing.

2012 – Leases expire between HIP and Trinity Church.

2012 – HIP purchases townhouse in Princeton.