NILES — The Niles Housing Commission recently instituted a new policy that will seek to help Niles’ homeless population. 

In May, the commission moved to prioritize the homeless for affordable housing and employ a continued partnership with Lakeland Home Care to provide multiple social resources.

Sabrina Bollinger, executive director for the Niles Housing Commission, said the decision for the new policy was influenced by a need the organization recognized to help the area’s homeless. This was brought to light when the commission determined that 30 percent of applicants on the waiting list for affordable housing were homeless, which equates to about 60 people in the past three years.

“Since we have implemented the program, we have had quite a few people that have applied and actually qualified,” Bollinger said. “Which means they will go ahead of people that currently have housing on the waiting list.”

Not only are those placed in affordable housing given a home, they are also connected with resources through Lakeland Home Care ­— an affiliate of Lakeland Hospital. Through Lakeland Home Care, residents can get access to food, clothing and medical needs, as well as resources for finding jobs. 

“Those services will help them continue to thrive after they find housing,” Bollinger said. “We are really excited about that.”

Additionally, having a place to call home can make it easier for a formerly transient person to find work, because having a physical address to list can help them find a job or qualify for other assistance. Bollinger said the program will also house those that have no income.

The Niles Housing Commission has 129 apartments available and 50 scattered site homes in Niles. The space ranges from one to five bedrooms.

People can apply for affordable housing by visiting the Niles Housing Commission building at 251 Cass St. to fill out an application. Because it can be difficult to stay in touch with those who do not have a home, applicants can be given times to check in with the commission. Those seeking prioritization for housing do have to meet certain guidelines which define them as homeless, for example, if they are living in a motel, car or emergency shelter. That definition also extends to those fleeing violence in their home. If multiple homeless people apply, they will be given housing on a first come, first serve basis.

Occupancy tends to range between 97 to 100 percent. Bollinger said they do not have an average time frame for how quickly homeless people are placed into housing, because the program is new and timing is circumstantial. She did say there is some turnaround of residencies which can help to make space available.

Bollinger believes that the new policy will be a key to helping Niles homeless. 

“The people that are in the greatest need are in the top priority,” Bollinger said. “And also having things in place to help them not become homeless again is also beneficial. It’s the essential things you need to have a nice quality of life.”

Community Development Director Sanya Vitale echoed this sentiment.

“By authorizing an allowable preference on homeless individuals and families, the Niles Housing Commission has developed a process that would make available a home for those living on the streets or precariously housed,” said Vitale. “The Board of Commissioners wants to ensure that last chance housing is available to most constituents living on the margins.”

The Niles Housing Commission is managed by Fourmidable, a national real estate management and brokerage company. To learn more about the Niles Housing Commission, visit fourmidable.com/properties/niles-housing-commission.