Second Chance Apartments in Charlotte, NC
Last updated:
Charlotte, NC Housing at a Glance
205
Affordable Properties
40
Oxford Houses
$1,686
FMR 2BR Rent
3
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Charlotte
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Charlotte can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Charlotte metro area has 205 affordable housing properties, including 165 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 40 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, Charlotte has 3 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 40 Oxford Houses in the Charlotte 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 Charlotte
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressley Ridge | 1210 Pressley Road, Charlotte, NC 28217 | LIHTC | 505 |
| Little Rock Apts | 5712 Leake Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28208 | LIHTC | 242 |
| Little Rock Apartments | 5712 Leake Street, Charlotte, NC 28208 | Section 8 | 240 |
| Stonehaven Apartments | 7000 Fernwood Drive, Charlotte, NC 28211 | LIHTC | 240 |
| Seigle Point Apt Homes | 110 Winding Path Way, Charlotte, NC 28204 | LIHTC | 204 |
| Archdale Flats - Family | 330 Archdale Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217 | LIHTC | 202 |
| Oak Park At Nations Ford Apartments | 103 Dinadan Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217 | LIHTC | 202 |
| Granite Pointe Apartments | 9101 Nations Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28273 | LIHTC | 198 |
| Rivermere Apartments | 3404 Dunn Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28216 | LIHTC | 192 |
| South Oak Crossing | 7609 Kings Ridge Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217 | LIHTC | 192 |
Oxford Houses in Charlotte
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Dismas Charities, Inc. — Charlotte, NC · 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.
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - NATIONAL COUNSELING CENTER
5855 Executive Center Dr Suite 400, CHARLOTTE, NC
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - CHARLOTTE, NC
5500 Executive Center Dr Ste 105, Charlotte, NC
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
DreamKey Partners
4601 Charlotte Park Dr Ste 350, Charlotte, NC
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
Fair Market Rent — Charlotte Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Charlotte is:
$1,686/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 Charlotte?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Charlotte has 205 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 Charlotte?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Charlotte do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. North Carolina 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 Charlotte?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Charlotte metro area is $1,686/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 Charlotte?
- Yes. There are 40 Oxford Houses in the Charlotte 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. Charlotte has 3 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 North Carolina?
- 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 Charlotte 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 Raleigh, NC
- ExpungementNorth Carolina expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in North Carolina
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in North Carolina
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in North Carolina
- ProbationProbation & parole in North Carolina
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