Housing Support

Having a safe, stable place to live is necessary for your well-being and academic success. We welcome you to learn more about the housing programs and services available to you.

If you have any questions or would like more information, contact us or fill out an assistance request form.

Support for Housing Insecurity

NIU provides resources to students who are experiencing housing insecurity or who are considered to be a student in care. If either of these apply to you, contact Jeffrey Salmon for assistance at 815-753-0100 or jsalmon1@niu.edu.

If you may be facing housing insecurity during winter break, please schedule an appointment with Jeffrey to discuss resources as the campus will have break housing options.

You're considered to be housing insecure if you don't have a safe, stable place to stay every night, or if your parent/legal guardian can't or won't help you find one. This applies to many situations, including the following:

• Living in a motel/hotel, trailer park, campground or emergency shelter
• Living in a car, park, abandoned building or other public space
• Living with someone temporarily (friend, relative, etc.)
• Not having somewhere to go when your residence hall closes

You're considered to be a student in care if you are, or were in the past, under the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

You can read legal definitions of homelessness and student in care in the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Housing and Storage Resources

On-campus Resources

• Housing and Residential Services provides safe, supportive student housing, including options for university breaks (housing@niu.edu, 815-753-1525).
• Military and Veteran Services offers other resources for students (mss@niu.edu, 815-753-0691).
• The Hotel at Holmes, located in the Holmes Student Center, provides lodging, meeting rooms and more in a convenient location.
• The Recreation Center has showers and locker facilities available for student use. Lockers may be used to store books, other academic materials and valuables (recreation@niu.edu, 815-753-0231).

Off-campus Resources

• Hope Haven of DeKalb County provides shelter, meals and life-skills development to those without housing (815-758-5765).
• HOPE of Ogle County provides support, shelter and referrals for domestic abuse survivors and their children (815-562-8890).
• Housing Authority of DeKalb County helps income-eligible individuals and families afford rental housing (815-758-2692).
• Illinois Housing Development Authority constructs, preserves and helps people find affordable rental housing (312-836-5200).
• Kishwaukee United Way provides a wide variety of assistance, including emergency shelter and rent/utility assistance.
• Public and Indian Housing ensures safe, affordable housing, with a focus on economic independence (202-708-1112).
• Rochelle Rescue Mission provides shelter, clothing, food and job assistance to those in need (815-561-2731).
• Safe Passage Domestic Violence Shelter provides shelter, counseling and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and their loved ones (815-756-7930).