Attempts to reduce poverty conditions by promoting and removing barriers to self-sufficiency, testing new approaches to address poverty causes, supporting self-help groups for self-sufficiency, organizing services based on the needs of impoverished individuals, broadening the resource base for poverty elimination programs, providing affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, and offering housing counseling services. Also processes applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and NJSHARES.