How do I find second chance apartments in Buffalo?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Buffalo has 107 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 Buffalo?

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

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Buffalo metro area is $1,343/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.

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. Buffalo has 4 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 New York?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Buffalo, NY

Last updated: 2026-03-24

Buffalo, NY Housing at a Glance

107

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

$1,343

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Buffalo

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Buffalo can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Buffalo metro area has 107 affordable housing properties, including 75 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 32 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, Buffalo has 4 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 5 Oxford Houses in the Buffalo 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 Buffalo

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Waterfront II	130 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14201	LIHTC	472
Braco & Linwood Apts.	922/926 Main/allen St, Buffalo, NY 14202	LIHTC	296
Mariner Towers	186 Efner St, Buffalo, NY 14201	LIHTC	292
Perry Homes I	300 Perry St, Buffalo, NY 14204	Section 8	284
Riverview & Stadnitski	24 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14207	LIHTC	212
Pine Harbor Apartments	10 Seventh St, Buffalo, NY 14201	Section 8	208
Harbor View	10 Seventh St, Buffalo, NY 14201	LIHTC	208
Marina Vista Apartments	10 & 12 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14207	LIHTC	195
Watergate Apts II	10 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14207	LIHTC	195
The Forge On Broadway	480 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14201	LIHTC	158

Oxford Houses in Buffalo

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
LovejoyVACANCY	971 E. Lovejoy Street, Buffalo, NY	Men	10	2	(716) 436-3681
Regent	58 Regent Street, Buffalo, NY	Men	6	0
SeminoleVACANCY	38 Seminole Pkwy, Buffalo, NY	Men	9	1	(716) 240-4667
Stevenson	92 Stevenson St, Buffalo, NY	Men	9	0
Trowbridge	51 Trowbridge, Buffalo, NY	Men	9	0	(716) 424-0191

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.

Community Resources for Justice, Inc. — Buffalo, NY · 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.

OPERATION HOPE- BUFFALO NY BRANCH

752 E Delavan Ave, Buffalo, NY

716-342-5580blake.vetrone@operationhope.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop

NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - BUFFALO, NY

135 Delaware Ave Ste 102, Buffalo, NY

716-834-6222service@naca.comwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

BUFFALO URBAN LEAGUE, INC.

15 Genesee St, Buffalo, NY

716-250-2400website

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop

BELMONT HOUSING RESOURCES FOR WNY, INCORPORATED

2393 Main St, Buffalo, NY

716-884-7791sbecker@belmonthousingwny.orgwebsite

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

Fair Market Rent — Buffalo Metro Area

HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Buffalo is:

$1,343/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 Buffalo?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Buffalo has 107 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 Buffalo?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Buffalo do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. New York 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 Buffalo?: The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Buffalo metro area is $1,343/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 Buffalo?: Yes. There are 5 Oxford Houses in the Buffalo 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. Buffalo has 4 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 New York?: 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 Buffalo 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

HousingSecond chance apartments in New York, NY
ExpungementNew York expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in New York
Gun RightsFelon gun rights in New York
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in New York
ProbationProbation & parole in New York

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

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.