Second Chance Apartments in Boston, MA
Last updated:
Boston, MA Housing at a Glance
318
Affordable Properties
0
Oxford Houses
$2,941
FMR 2BR Rent
5
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Boston
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Boston can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Boston metro area has 318 affordable housing properties, including 147 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 171 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, Boston 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.
Largest Affordable Housing Properties in Boston
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harbor Point | 25-37 Island View Place, Boston, MA 02125 | Section 8 | 1,283 |
| Mission Park | 835 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 | Section 8 | 775 |
| Mission Park LP | 835 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 2115 | LIHTC | 775 |
| Georgetowne Homes One | 400a Georgetowne Drive, Boston, MA 02136 | Section 8 | 601 |
| Castle Square I | 1 Village Ct, Boston, MA 2118 | LIHTC | 500 |
| Castle Square II | 494 Tremont St, Boston, MA 2116 | LIHTC | 500 |
| Symphony Plaza Apartments | 333 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02115 | Section 8 | 404 |
| Brandywyne Village | 290-314 Brandywyne Drive, Boston, MA 02128 | Section 8 | 402 |
| Georgetowne Homes One B | 400a Georgetowne Dr, Boston, MA 2136 | LIHTC | 382 |
| Georgetowne Homes 1b | 400a Georgetowne Drive, Boston, MA 2136 | LIHTC | 382 |
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Community Resources for Justice, Inc. — Boston, MA · 617-482-2520
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP NETWORK
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - BOSTON, MA
225 Centre St Ste 100, Boston, MA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NID-HCA PHIPPS
1539 Blue Hill Ave, BOSTON, MA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
ASIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling
Fair Market Rent — Boston Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Boston is:
$2,941/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 Boston?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Boston has 318 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 Boston?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Boston do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Massachusetts 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 Boston?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Boston metro area is $2,941/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 Boston?
- While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Boston, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the Massachusetts 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. Boston 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 Massachusetts?
- 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 Boston 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
- ExpungementMassachusetts expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Massachusetts
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Massachusetts
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Massachusetts
- ProbationProbation & parole in Massachusetts
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