Second Chance Apartments in Akron, OH
Last updated:
Akron, OH Housing at a Glance
112
Affordable Properties
1
Oxford Houses
N/A
FMR 2BR Rent
5
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Akron
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Akron can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Akron metro area has 112 affordable housing properties, including 77 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 35 Section 8 properties. Many of these evaluate applicants individually rather than using blanket criminal record bans.
Your best strategy is to call properties directly before submitting an application. Ask the property manager about their screening criteria for criminal history. This saves you both time and non-refundable application fees. Private landlords and smaller complexes tend to be more flexible than large corporate management companies.
If you need help navigating the process, Akron has 5 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies that provide free assistance with finding housing, understanding your rights, and improving your rental application. These counselors know which local properties are most open to second chance tenants.
For those in recovery, there are 1 Oxford Houses in the Akron area providing self-supporting, sober living environments. These are an excellent option if you need stable housing while rebuilding your life.
Largest Affordable Housing Properties in Akron
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Hill Apts | 1254 Rentar Ln, Akron, OH 44307 | LIHTC | 351 |
| Wilbeth Arlington Homes | 910 Eller Avenue, Akron, OH 44306 | Section 8 | 328 |
| Wilbeth-arlington Homes | 1248 Virginia Ave, Akron, OH 44306 | LIHTC | 328 |
| Callis Tower | 730 Callis Drive, Akron, OH 44311 | Section 8 | 277 |
| Callis Tower | 730 Callis Dr, Akron, OH 44311 | LIHTC | 277 |
| Channelwood Village | 741-751 Dunbar Drive, Akron, OH 44311 | Section 8 | 274 |
| Channel Wood Village | 695 Dunbar Dr, Akron, OH 44311 | LIHTC | 274 |
| The Ericsson Apartments | 1184-1199 Keys Place, Akron, OH 44306 | Section 8 | 240 |
| Hillwood II | 1380 Dahlgren Dr, Akron, OH 44306 | LIHTC | 240 |
| Mayflower Manor | 263 South Main St, Akron, OH 44308 | Section 8 | 233 |
Oxford Houses in Akron
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
| Name | Address | Gender | Beds | Vacancies | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keep It Simple | 596 Greenwood Avenue, Akron , OH | Men | 8 | 0 | (234) 208-9119 |
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
MUSTARD SEED DEVELOPMENT CENTER
1557 Vernon Odom Blvd, Akron, OH
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
FAIR HOUSING CONTACT SERVICE
441 Wolf Ledges Pkwy Ste 200, Akron, OH
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
EAST AKRON NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
ASIAN SERVICES IN ACTION, INC. (ASIA)
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
ASIAN AKRON OFFICE 2
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
Tips for Finding Housing with a Record
- 1.Call properties directly before applying. Ask the manager about their screening policy for criminal records — this saves you time and application fees.
- 2.Try private landlords and smaller complexes first. Individual owners are often more flexible than corporate property management companies.
- 3.Prepare a "rental resume" with references from employers, parole/probation officers, past landlords, or community organizations that can vouch for you.
- 4.Offer a larger security deposit or several months of rent upfront if you can. This reduces the landlord's perceived risk.
- 5.Look into LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit) properties — they have income requirements but many are more lenient on background checks than market-rate apartments.
- 6.Contact HUD-approved housing counseling agencies for free help navigating the process. They know which local properties work with people who have records.
- 7.Be honest about your history. If a landlord discovers you lied on an application, that is usually grounds for immediate lease termination.
- 8.Check if your conviction can be expunged or sealed. A clean record makes the housing search much easier. Visit our expungement guide for your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I find second chance apartments in Akron?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Akron has 112 affordable housing properties. Many accept tenants with criminal records on a case-by-case basis. Call the property manager, explain your situation honestly, and ask about their screening criteria. Private landlords and smaller complexes tend to be more flexible than large corporate-managed properties.
- Will a felony disqualify me from renting in Akron?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Akron do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Ohio may have fair housing protections that limit how landlords can use criminal records in screening. Always ask about the specific policy before paying an application fee.
- What is the average rent in Akron?
- Rent varies widely in Akron. Subsidized housing through LIHTC or Section 8 programs typically costs 30% of your adjusted gross income, which can be significantly less than market rate. Contact local housing authorities for current availability and rates.
- Are there sober living homes in Akron?
- Yes. There are 1 Oxford Houses in the Akron area. Oxford Houses are democratically run, self-supporting sober living homes. Residents share expenses and hold each other accountable. Contact them directly for availability — some may have vacancies right now.
- What are HUD housing counseling agencies?
- HUD-approved housing counseling agencies provide free or low-cost advice on renting, buying, default/foreclosure prevention, and credit repair. Akron has 5 HUD-approved counseling agencies. They can help you understand your rights, navigate the application process, and find housing that works for your situation — including if you have a criminal record.
- Can I get Section 8 housing with a criminal record in Ohio?
- Most criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify you from Section 8 housing. The main disqualifications are: lifetime sex offender registration and methamphetamine production convictions. Individual housing authorities have discretion on other offenses. Apply directly to the Akron Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.
Related Resources on This Site
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- HousingSecond chance apartments in Columbus, OH
- ExpungementOhio expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Ohio
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Ohio
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Ohio
- ProbationProbation & parole in Ohio
- SR22 InsuranceSR22 insurance in Ohio
- License ReinstatementLicense reinstatement in Ohio
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