Office of Community Development

The Office of Community Development is responsible for applying for and administering federal and local grants that serve the needs of the homeless and other special needs populations. This Office provides funding to various non-profit organizations in Mercer County.

Continuum of Care (CoC) Program

The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is a federal program designed to promote a community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness by providing funding for permanent housing, supportive services, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals, youth and families.

The Trenton/Mercer CoC is the local body of public, private and non-profit organizations responsible for conducting community-wide planning and developing strategic use of resources to address homelessness; improving coordination and integration with mainstream resources and other programs targeted to people experiencing homelessness; improving data collection and system wide performance outcomes.

The City of Trenton is the lead entity and Collaborative Applicant of approximately $2 to 3 million annually on behalf of the Trenton/Mercer CoC and oversees the administration of the CoC Program grant.

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)

The ESG program provides funding to:

  • Engage homeless individuals and families living on the street
  • Improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families
  • Help operate these shelters
  • Provide essential services to shelter residents
  • Rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families
  • Prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless

ESG funds may be used for five program components:

  • Emergency shelter
  • Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
  • Homelessness prevention
  • Rapid re-housing assistance
  • Street outreach

As well as administrative activities (up to 7.5% of a recipient’s allocation can be used for administrative activities).

CEASE System Monthly Homeless Report