How do I find second chance apartments in Columbus?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Columbus has 286 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 Columbus?

Not necessarily. Many landlords in Columbus 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 Columbus?

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Columbus metro area is $1,430/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. Columbus has 6 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 Columbus Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Second Chance Apartments in Columbus, OH

Last updated: 2026-03-24

Columbus, OH Housing at a Glance

286

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

$1,430

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Columbus

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Columbus can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Columbus metro area has 286 affordable housing properties, including 216 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 70 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, Columbus has 6 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 4 Oxford Houses in the Columbus 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 Columbus

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Woodland Meadows	3312 Columbus Ct, Columbus, OH 43209	LIHTC	1,100
Briggs Wedgewood Apts	777 Wedgewood Dr, Columbus, OH 43228	LIHTC	869
Wedgewood Village Apartments	3686,3680 Briggs Road, Columbus, OH 43228	Section 8	648
Lincoln Park West	, Columbus, OH	LIHTC	456
Ymca Of Central Ohio	40 W Long St, Columbus, OH 43215	LIHTC	400
Shilo Grove	986 Mount Vernon Ave, Columbus, OH 43203	LIHTC	394
Agler Green	2444 Gatewood Rd, Columbus, OH 43219	LIHTC	384
Southpark Apartments	834 Greenfield Dr, Columbus, OH 43223	Section 8	356
Community Properties Revitalization I	85-87 S. Monroe Avenue, Columbus, OH 43205	Section 8	331
Community Properties Revitalization	799 Oak St, Columbus, OH 43205	LIHTC	331

Oxford Houses in Columbus

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
Sagittarii	5015 Fullerton Drive, Columbus, OH	Women	7	0	(614) 321-4474
SevernVACANCY	3757 Weeping Willow Blvd, Columbus, OH	Women	8	2	(614) 295-4282
Integrity Lane	2509 Symington Avenue, Columbus, OH	Men	8	0	(614) 564-9049
LeroseVACANCY	4527 Hickory Wood Drive, Columbus, OH	Men	8	1	(614) 456-7353

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

Alvis, Inc. — Columbus, OH · 614-252-84
Alvis, Inc. — Columbus, OH · 614-252-5326

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION - UNIVERSITY DISTRICT

99 East Ninth Avenue, COLUMBUS, OH

614-297-3861colbert.22@osu.eduwebsite

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

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION

2120 Fyffe Rd, Columbus, OH

614-247-7733warman.44@osu.eduwebsite

Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

NID-HCA COLUMBUS

4200 Regent St Suite 200, COLUMBUS, OH

614-418-6056YEarley@nidhousing.comwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

HOMES ON THE HILL

3659 Soldano Blvd, Columbus, OH

614-275-4663info@hoth-cdc.orgwebsite

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

COLUMBUS URBAN LEAGUE

788 Mount Vernon Ave, Columbus, OH

614-257-6300website

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

COLUMBUS HOUSING PARTNERSHIP, INC, DBA HOMEPORT

3443 Agler Rd, Columbus, OH

614-221-8889website

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

Fair Market Rent — Columbus Metro Area

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

$1,430/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 Columbus?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Columbus has 286 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 Columbus?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Columbus 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 Columbus?: The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Columbus metro area is $1,430/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 Columbus?: Yes. There are 4 Oxford Houses in the Columbus 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. Columbus has 6 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 Columbus 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 Cleveland, 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.