How do I find second chance apartments in Cincinnati?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Cincinnati has 252 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 Cincinnati?

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

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Cincinnati metro area is $1,353/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 Cincinnati?

Yes. There are 5 Oxford Houses in the Cincinnati 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. Cincinnati has 2 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 Ohio?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Cincinnati, OH

Last updated: 2026-03-24

Cincinnati, OH Housing at a Glance

252

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

$1,353

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Cincinnati

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Cincinnati can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Cincinnati metro area has 252 affordable housing properties, including 152 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 100 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, Cincinnati has 2 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 Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Huntington Meadows Apts	1931 Langdon Farm Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45237	LIHTC	1,165
Villages At Roll Hill	3754-3772 President Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45225	Section 8	703
Hunters Glen Apts	1235 Chesterdale Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45246	LIHTC	379
Gateway Plaza	400 W 9th St, Cincinnati, OH 45203	Section 8	348
Gateway Plaza	416 W Ninth St, Cincinnati, OH 45203	LIHTC	348
Forest Ridge Apts	4818 Hawaiian Ter, Cincinnati, OH 45223	LIHTC	324
Glen Meadows Apartments	7065 Glenmeadows Ln, Cincinnati, OH 45237	Section 8	264
Glen Meadows Apts	7076 Glenmeadows Ln, Cincinnati, OH 45237	LIHTC	264
Autumn Woods	2320 Wyoming Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45214	LIHTC	255
The Arts Apartments At Music Hall	879 Ezzard Charles, Cincinnati, OH 45203	Section 8	252

Oxford Houses in Cincinnati

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
VolitivoVACANCY	1810 Sutton Road, Cincinnati, OH	Men	7	1	(463) 279-2255
KalidVACANCY	400 Arlington Avenue, Cincinnati, OH	Women w/ Children	8	1	(513) 692-7406
LavenderVACANCY	3072 West Tower Ave, Cincinnati, OH	Women w/ Children	8	3
Mentor AvenueVACANCY	1818 Mentor Avenue, Cincinnati, OH	Men	8	1	(513) 351-0086
NouvelVACANCY	4663 Glenway Avenue, Cincinnati, OH	Men w/ Children	10	1	(513) 620-8140

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

Talbert House, Inc. — Cincinnati, OH · 513-751-7747
Talbert House, Inc. — Cincinnati, OH · 513-751-7747

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.

WORKING IN NEIGHBORHOODS

1814 Dreman Ave, Cincinnati, OH

513-541-4109website

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

HOME OWNERSHIP CENTER OF GREATER CINCINNATI

2820 Vernon Pl, Cincinnati, OH

513-961-2800website

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

Fair Market Rent — Cincinnati Metro Area

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

$1,353/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 Cincinnati?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Cincinnati has 252 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 Cincinnati?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Cincinnati do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Ohio 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 Cincinnati?: The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Cincinnati metro area is $1,353/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 Cincinnati?: Yes. There are 5 Oxford Houses in the Cincinnati 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. Cincinnati has 2 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 Ohio?: 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 Cincinnati 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 Columbus, OH
ExpungementOhio expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Ohio
Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Ohio
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Ohio
ProbationProbation & parole in Ohio

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.