Second Chance Apartments in Chicago, IL
Last updated:
Chicago, IL Housing at a Glance
839
Affordable Properties
2
Oxford Houses
$1,781
FMR 2BR Rent
32
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Chicago
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Chicago can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Chicago metro area has 839 affordable housing properties, including 532 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 307 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, Chicago has 32 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 2 Oxford Houses in the Chicago 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 Chicago
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawndale Restoration | 3100 W Douglas Blvd, Chicago, IL 60623 | LIHTC | 1,240 |
| The Pavilion Apts | 5441 Ne River Rd, Chicago, IL 60656 | LIHTC | 1,114 |
| Parkway Gardens | 6415 S. Calumet, Chicago, IL 60637 | Section 8 | 694 |
| Parkway Gardens Apts | 6536 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60637 | LIHTC | 694 |
| Hilliard Homes I | 2111 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60616 | LIHTC | 654 |
| Hilliard Homes | 2031 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60616 | LIHTC | 654 |
| Marshall Field Garden Apt. | 402 West Evergreen, Chicago, IL 60610 | Section 8 | 628 |
| Town & Garden Apts | 1414 N Sedgwick St, Chicago, IL 60610 | LIHTC | 628 |
| Lake Shore Plaza | 445 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 | Section 8 | 567 |
| Grove Parc Plaza Apts | 6020 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL 60637 | LIHTC | 504 |
Oxford Houses in Chicago
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
| Name | Address | Gender | Beds | Vacancies | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RizzoVACANCY | 5905 W Erie St, Chicago, IL | Men | 7 | 3 | (312) 428-5046 |
| Windy CityVACANCY | 6122 W Henderson St, Chicago, IL | Men | 9 | 1 | (872) 946-7007 |
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Central Territorial of the Salvation Army; DBA Salvation Army Correctional Ser — Chicago, IL · 312-421-2406
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
YWCA METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
6600 S Cottage Grove Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
XILIN ASSOCIATION
2538 S Blue Island Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
THE RESURRECTION PROJECT
1818 S Paulina St, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
SPANISH COALITION FOR HOUSING (SOUTH CHICAGO OFFICE)
9010 S. Commercial Ave., CHICAGO, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
SPANISH COALITION FOR HOUSING
1922 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
SOUTH SIDE COMMUNITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
5401 S Wentworth Ave Ste 25, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
OAK PARK REGIONAL HOUSING CENTER AKA WEST COOK HOMEOWNERSHIP CENTER
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - CHICAGO, IL
4425 W 63rd St Ste 200, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NORTHWEST SIDE HOUSING CENTER (NWSHC)
5233 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
NORTHSIDE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
NID-HCA WEBBER
9263 S Ml King Dr, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
NHS OF CHICAGO - CHATHAM BRANCH
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NHS OF CHICAGO - WEST HUMBOLDT PARK BRANCH
2950 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF CHICAGO
850 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
MIDWEST ASIAN HEALTH ASSOCIATION
Services: Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling
LAWNDALE CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Services: Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
LATIN UNITED COMMUNITY HOUSING ASSOCIATION
1116 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
HOUSING ACTION ILLINOIS
67 E. Madison Street, Suite 1603, CHICAGO, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
HANA CENTER
4300 N California Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
GREENPATH FINANCIAL WELLNESS
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling
GREATER SOUTHWEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
GLCU Foundation For Financial Empowerment
1011 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
FAR SOUTH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling
CREDIT.ORG - CHICAGO BRANCH
332 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
CHINESE AMERICAN SERVICE LEAGUE
2141 South Tan Court, CHICAGO, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE
4510 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
CENTER FOR CHANGING LIVES
1955 N Saint Louis Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
CEDA OF COOK COUNTY INC.
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
BRIGHTON PARK NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
4477 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
AGORA COMMUNITY SERVICES CORPORATION, NFP
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
ACCESS LIVING OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
115 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL
Services: Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
Fair Market Rent — Chicago Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Chicago is:
$1,781/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 Chicago?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Chicago has 839 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 Chicago?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Chicago do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Illinois 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 Chicago?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Chicago metro area is $1,781/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 Chicago?
- Yes. There are 2 Oxford Houses in the Chicago 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. Chicago has 32 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 Illinois?
- 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 Chicago 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
- ExpungementIllinois expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Illinois
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Illinois
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Illinois
- ProbationProbation & parole in Illinois
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