How do I find second chance apartments in Arlington?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Arlington has 34 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 Arlington?

Not necessarily. Many landlords in Arlington do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Texas 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 Arlington?

Rent varies widely in Arlington. 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 Arlington?

Yes. There are 3 Oxford Houses in the Arlington 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. Arlington has 2 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 Texas?

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 Arlington Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Second Chance Apartments in Arlington, TX

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Arlington, TX Housing at a Glance

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Arlington

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Arlington can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Arlington metro area has 34 affordable housing properties, including 31 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 3 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, Arlington has 2 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 3 Oxford Houses in the Arlington 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 Arlington

These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.

Property	Address	Type	Units
Hunt's View Apts	420 W Park Row Dr, Arlington, TX 76010	LIHTC	366
Manhattan Park Townhomes	2225 New York Ave, Arlington, TX 76010	Section 8	352
Pebble Creek Apts	2225 New York Ave, Arlington, TX 76010	LIHTC	352
Spanish Park (fka Cooper Crossing) (aka Hunts View Apartments)*	420 W Park Row Dr, Arlington, TX 76010	LIHTC	350
Rosemont At Mayfield Villas	2002 Mayfield Villa Dr, Arlington, TX	LIHTC	278
North Arlington Seniors Apt Community	975 E Sanford St, Arlington, TX 76011	LIHTC	261
The Claremont At Arlington	971 E Sanford St, Arlington, TX 76011	LIHTC	260
Parkland Pointe II	907 Pinion Dr, Arlington, TX 76017	LIHTC	250
Parkland Pointe I	6005 Mapleside Ln, Arlington, TX 76017	LIHTC	250
Running Brook Apts	1519 Running Brook Dr, Arlington, TX 76010	LIHTC	248

Oxford Houses in Arlington

Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
FielderVACANCY	2314 Oak Manor, Arlington, TX	Men	7	2	(682) 706-3229
Pantego	1405 Waggoner Drive, Arlington, TX	Men	9	0	(682) 323-5096
MahalaVACANCY	2702 Shadow Wood Court, Arlington, TX	Women	9	1	(682) 323-5657

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.

HISPANIC REAL ESTATE BROKERS ASSOCIATION

410 W Abram St, Arlington, TX

682-348-4481inbox@hhc-arlingtontx.orgwebsite

Services: Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

CREDIT.ORG - ARLINGTON, TX BRANCH

2000 E Lamar Blvd, Arlington, TX

817-583-7111info@credit.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling

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 Arlington?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Arlington has 34 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 Arlington?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Arlington do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Texas 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 Arlington?: Rent varies widely in Arlington. 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 Arlington?: Yes. There are 3 Oxford Houses in the Arlington 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. Arlington has 2 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 Texas?: 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 Arlington Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

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Disclaimer: This is informational only, not legal advice. Housing availability, screening policies, and rental rates change frequently. Always contact properties directly to confirm current availability and policies. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from housing — many properties evaluate applicants individually. For legal advice about your housing rights, contact a local HUD Fair Housing office or a legal aid organization.