To the Editor:

Housing Initiatives of Princeton (HIP) held its annual Rent Party on Saturday, September 22 when over 120 people gathered at the beautiful home of Melanie and John Clarke to help us “raise the rent” to assist low-income working families in our community. Through the generosity of our supporters — and the more than 40 event sponsors — HIP raised more than $48,000 which we will use to provide transitional housing with family-focused supportive services and emergency rental assistance to help families avoid homelessness and move towards long-term self-sufficiency.

In addition to the all-volunteer HIP board who worked very hard to make the event a success, HIP has a bunch of people to thank: first and foremost Melanie and John for graciously opening their beautiful home and garden, providing the tent, stocking the bar with delicious wines and beers, and providing the tireless bartenders to serve them; our incredibly talented caterer, Chamber’s Walk; Anne Fahey for donating her time to design the fantastic invitations; DJ, NJ SINGS for rocking the house; and James Muir for directing all of our attendees to parking.

It was also so important to those interested in the HIP mission that Matt Desmond and Vanessa Solivan attended and shared their expertise about and experience with the lack of safe, stable, and affordable housing in our area.

We at HIP are so grateful to our whole community, which truly came together — neighbor helping neighbor — to ensure our community remains diverse and vibrant!

Carol Golden

Chair, Housing Initiatives of Princeton, Mercer Street