Second Chance Apartments in Birmingham, AL
Last updated:
Birmingham, AL Housing at a Glance
91
Affordable Properties
3
Oxford Houses
$1,266
FMR 2BR Rent
6
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Birmingham
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Birmingham can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Birmingham metro area has 91 affordable housing properties, including 54 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 37 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, Birmingham has 6 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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bankhead Towers | 2300 Fifth Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203 | LIHTC | 251 |
| Monarch Ridge Apartments | 2969 Gallant Dr Apt 4, Birmingham, AL 35215 | Section 8 | 240 |
| Princeton Towers | 909 Princeton Ave Sw, Birmingham, AL 35211 | Section 8 | 240 |
| Valley Brook Apts | 2969 Gallant Dr, Birmingham, AL 35215 | LIHTC | 240 |
| Magnolia Court Apts | 132 Westchester Ct, Birmingham, AL | LIHTC | 240 |
| Summit Ridge Apts | 149 Haversham Dr, Birmingham, AL 35215 | LIHTC | 200 |
| Hunter Ridge Apts Phase I | 2901 Hunter Ridge Ct, Birmingham, AL 35235 | LIHTC | 200 |
| Highgate Apts | 2300 Chapel Ridge Dr, Birmingham, AL | LIHTC | 200 |
| Park Place II | 600 24th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203 | LIHTC | 198 |
| Park Place I | 600 24th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203 | LIHTC | 197 |
Oxford Houses in Birmingham
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
| Name | Address | Gender | Beds | Vacancies | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bham | 2340 6th Pl NW, Birmingham, AL | Men | 7 | 0 | |
| Iron CityVACANCY | 809 15th St West, Birmingham, AL | Women w/ Children | 7 | 1 | |
| Magic City | 976 Edwards Lake Rd, Birmingham, AL | Women | 7 | 0 |
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Keeton Corrections, Inc. (Birmingham) — Birmingham, AL · 850-747-8776
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL ALABAMA, INC.
3600 8th Ave S, Birmingham, AL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
OPERATION HOPE- BIRMINGHAM AL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - BIRMINGHAM, AL
529 Beacon Pkwy W Ste 204, Birmingham, AL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF BIRMINGHAM, INC.
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
HISPANIC INTEREST COALITION OF ALABAMA
117 Southcrest Dr, Birmingham, AL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
BIRMINGHAM URBAN LEAGUE, INC.
1229 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL
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, Rental Housing Workshop
Fair Market Rent — Birmingham Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Birmingham is:
$1,266/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 Birmingham?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Birmingham has 91 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 Birmingham?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Birmingham do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Alabama 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 Birmingham?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Birmingham metro area is $1,266/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 Birmingham?
- Yes. There are 3 Oxford Houses in the Birmingham 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. Birmingham has 6 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 Alabama?
- 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 Birmingham 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
- ExpungementAlabama expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Alabama
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Alabama
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Alabama
- ProbationProbation & parole in Alabama
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