NILES, Mich. (WNDU) – The largest workforce housing development in Southwest Michigan opened on Thursday in Niles, offering 48 units designed to address what developers call the “missing middle” housing crisis.
The Forge on Fort targets middle-class residents who earn too much to qualify for housing assistance but not enough to afford market-rate housing. The development offers two-bedroom, two-bathroom units starting at $1,116 per month, including utilities and internet.
“So, we have a need for over 600 housing units in the city of Niles. This brings 48 new units to our community,” said Mayor Nick Shelton.
The “missing middle” refers to people who make 80 to 120 percent of the median income. In the Niles community, that translates to approximately $76,000 for household income, according to JP Wielgos, vice president of Seven Diamonds, the development company.
“As everybody knows it’s hard to get affordable housing in the market right now and with this product, we’re hoping to fill that missing middle,” Wielgos said.
The development is strategically located between the city of Niles and Niles Township, near trail systems and local businesses. It sits approximately five minutes from downtown Niles and close to a main corridor connecting South Bend to Niles.
The building can house nearly 100 people, but demand already exceeds capacity. By opening day, developers said interest was twice the available units, with upwards of 200 people reaching out about the housing.
The project began approximately two years ago through a partnership between Seven Diamonds and the city of Niles. Through that collaboration, Seven Diamonds secured “missing middle” funds from the state of Michigan.
Seven Diamonds plans to create more workforce housing projects in the future.
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