In Thursday’s Niles Daily Star, we reported that the Niles Housing Commission received a High Performer status from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The status is the top rating in overall categories from financial health, management and physical condition.

We would like to extend a congratulations to the Niles Housing Commission for once again achieving this award. We are especially impressed because just five years ago, the commission was in a different state.

According to Community Development Director Sanya Vitale, the housing commission used to have a low occupancy rate, structural issues and bedbugs. Additionally, she said residents were complaining to the federal government.

The city did not brush off these concerns and instead appointed a new housing commission board. Now, five years later, the commission has received a top ranking from the government.

We appreciate the work the city and the Niles Housing Commission put in to address the problems the commission was facing and to fix them. We commend the commission for listening to its residents and taking care of them. So often, you hear stories about land owners not stepping up and not investing in their properties and tenants. We are happy to see that Niles did.

With its High Performer status, we hope to see the Niles Housing Commission continue to be dedicated to improving and addressing issues as they come along. We hope the housing commission will continue to be a High Performer for many years to come.

Opinions expressed are those of general manager Ambrosia Neldon, managing editor Sarah Culton and sports editor Scott Novak.