Second Chance Apartments in Atlanta, GA
Last updated:
Atlanta, GA Housing at a Glance
300
Affordable Properties
0
Oxford Houses
$1,820
FMR 2BR Rent
8
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Atlanta
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Atlanta can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Atlanta metro area has 300 affordable housing properties, including 266 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 34 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, Atlanta has 8 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.
Largest Affordable Housing Properties in Atlanta
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Commons | 3010 Middleton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30311 | Section 8 | 457 |
| Allen Temple | 3040 Middleton Rd Nw, Atlanta, GA 30311 | LIHTC | 457 |
| Dogwood Apartments /preserve At Collier Ridge | 1000 Harwell Rd Nw, Atlanta, GA 30318 | LIHTC | 420 |
| Dogwood Apartments | 1021 Harwell Rd Nw, Atlanta, GA 30318 | LIHTC | 420 |
| Preserve At Collier Ridge | 1021 Harwell Rd Nw, Atlanta, GA 30318 | LIHTC | 420 |
| Forest Cove | 900 New Town Circle, Atlanta, GA 30315 | Section 8 | 396 |
| Cascade Pines Apartments | 2909 Campbellton Rd Sw, Atlanta, GA 30311 | LIHTC | 376 |
| Huntingwood Pointe - Cascade Pines Apts. | 2909 Campbellton Rd Sw, Atlanta, GA 30311 | LIHTC | 376 |
| Villages Of Eastlake II | 460 E Lake Blvd Se, Atlanta, GA 30317 | LIHTC | 360 |
| Campbell Stone | 2911 Pharr Court South Nw, Atlanta, GA 30305 | LIHTC | 342 |
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Dismas Charities, Inc. — Atlanta, GA · 502-636-2033
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES OF GEORGIA, INC.
100 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
OPERATION HOPE-JEFFERSON ST- ATLANTA GA
970 Jefferson St NW, Atlanta, GA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
OPERATION HOPE- PEACHTREE BRANCH
191 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - ATLANTA, GA
3690 N Peachtree Rd, Atlanta, GA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
METRO FAIR HOUSING SERVICES, INC.
215 Lakewood Way SW, Atlanta, GA
Services: Fair Housing Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
GEORGIA HOUSING AND FINANCE AUTHORITY
CENTER FOR PAN ASIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC
3510 Shallowford Rd NE, Atlanta, GA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTA
2305 Parklake Dr NE, Atlanta, GA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
Fair Market Rent — Atlanta Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Atlanta is:
$1,820/month (2BR)
With subsidized housing (LIHTC or Section 8), you typically pay 30% of your adjusted gross income — often significantly less than market rate.
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 Atlanta?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Atlanta has 300 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 Atlanta?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Atlanta do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Georgia 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 Atlanta?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Atlanta metro area is $1,820/month. Subsidized housing through LIHTC or Section 8 programs typically costs 30% of your adjusted gross income, which can be significantly less than market rate.
- Are there sober living homes in Atlanta?
- While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Atlanta, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the Georgia substance abuse helpline, or SAMHSA's national helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for referrals to sober living homes in your area.
- 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. Atlanta has 8 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 Georgia?
- 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 Atlanta Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.
Related Resources on This Site
More for your state
- ExpungementGeorgia expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Georgia
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Georgia
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Georgia
- ProbationProbation & parole in Georgia
Helpful guides
- Background ChecksWhat shows up on a background check?
- Background ChecksHow far back do background checks go?
- Background ChecksTypes of background checks
- Background ChecksHow to check your own record