Second Chance Apartments in Baltimore, MD
Last updated:
Baltimore, MD Housing at a Glance
369
Affordable Properties
1
Oxford Houses
$1,857
FMR 2BR Rent
13
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Baltimore
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Baltimore can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Baltimore metro area has 369 affordable housing properties, including 243 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 126 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, Baltimore has 13 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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Marys Roland View Towers I & II | 3838 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211 | Section 8 | 360 |
| Van Story Branch Apartments | 320 E. 20th Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 | Section 8 | 350 |
| Mcculloh Homes Extension | 501 Dolphin Street And, Baltimore, MD 21217 | LIHTC | 350 |
| Mcculloh Homes | 501 Dolphin Street, Baltimore, MD 21217 | Section 8 | 347 |
| Queen Esther / Lanvale Towers | 1320-1328 Lafayette St, Baltimore, MD 21213 | Section 8 | 321 |
| Lanvale Towers/ Canal Courts Apts | 1300 E Lanvale St, Baltimore, MD 21213 | LIHTC | 321 |
| Cherill Apts | 203 Cherry Hill Rd, Baltimore, MD 21225 | LIHTC | 320 |
| Kingsley Park Apts | 1630 Dartford Rd, Baltimore, MD | LIHTC | 312 |
| Circle Terrace Apts | 2920 Lakebrook Cir, Baltimore, MD 21227 | LIHTC | 303 |
| Lakeview Towers | 717 Druid Park Lake Dr, Baltimore, MD 21217 | Section 8 | 302 |
Oxford Houses in Baltimore
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
| Name | Address | Gender | Beds | Vacancies | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walden | 2122 Mura Street, Baltimore, MD | Men | 7 | 0 | 443-438-4384 |
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Volunteers of America Chesapeake, Inc. — Baltimore, MD · 301-459-2020
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
ST. AMBROSE HOUSING AID CENTER, INC.
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
SOUTHEAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
3323 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
OPERATION HOPE- BALTIMORE BRANCH
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - BALTIMORE, MD
11 E Mount Royal Ave, Baltimore, MD
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NORTH EAST HOUSING INITIATIVE INC
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF BALTIMORE, INC.
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
HOMEFREE-USA BALTIMORE BRANCH
1068 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD
Services: Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
HARBEL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP ( A DIVISION OF HARBEL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, INC.)
5807 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
GARWYN OAKS NORTHWEST HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER, INC
2300 Garrison Blvd Ste 140, Baltimore, MD
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
DRUID HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP.
2140 McCulloh St, Baltimore, MD
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
CREDIT.ORG - MARYLAND BRANCH
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING ASSISTANCE, INC
5809 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
BELAIR - EDISON NEIGHBORHOODS, INC.
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
Fair Market Rent — Baltimore Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Baltimore is:
$1,857/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 Baltimore?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Baltimore has 369 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 Baltimore?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Baltimore do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Maryland 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 Baltimore?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Baltimore metro area is $1,857/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 Baltimore?
- Yes. There are 1 Oxford Houses in the Baltimore 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. Baltimore has 13 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 Maryland?
- 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 Baltimore 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
- ExpungementMaryland expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Maryland
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Maryland
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Maryland
- ProbationProbation & parole in Maryland
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