Second Chance Apartments in Dallas, TX
Last updated:
Dallas, TX Housing at a Glance
198
Affordable Properties
43
Oxford Houses
$1,931
FMR 2BR Rent
8
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Dallas
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Dallas can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Dallas metro area has 198 affordable housing properties, including 172 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 26 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, Dallas has 8 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 43 Oxford Houses in the Dallas 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 Dallas
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkwoods Apts | 3035 W Pentagon Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75233 | LIHTC | 826 |
| Market Apts | , Dallas, TX | LIHTC | 564 |
| Willow Pond Apts | 6003 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75231 | LIHTC | 386 |
| Cliff Park Village Apts | 220 E Overton Rd, Dallas, TX 75216 | LIHTC | 360 |
| Surrey Row | 7272 Marvin D Love Fwy, Dallas, TX 75237 | LIHTC | 359 |
| Pines Point | 3102 Oradell Ln, Dallas, TX 75220 | LIHTC | 327 |
| Skyline Place Apartments | 4700 Wimbelton Way, Dallas, TX 75227 | LIHTC | 318 |
| Trails Redevelopment (dallas) | 3109 Chapel Creek Dr, Dallas, TX 75220 | LIHTC | 302 |
| Palladium Redbird | Seq S. Westmoreland And W. Camp Wisom Road, Dallas, TX 75237 | LIHTC | 300 |
| Park Creek Manor | 2530 Coombs Creek Dr, Dallas, TX 75211 | LIHTC | 297 |
Oxford Houses in Dallas
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
TRANSFORMANCE DBA SERVICES OF HOPE ENTITIES
1137 Conveyor Ln Ste 107, Dallas, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
OPERATION HOPE - DALLAS TEXAS
Services: Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - DALLAS, TX
5787 South Hampton Rd Ste 120, DALLAS, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NAVICORE SOLUTIONS- DALLAS, TX
17440 North Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
DALLAS COUNTY HOME LOAN COUNSELING CENTER
2377 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
DALLAS AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
BUILDERS OF HOPE
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
BCL OF TEXAS (BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LENDERS)
400 S Zang Blvd Ste 1220, Dallas, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
Fair Market Rent — Dallas Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Dallas is:
$1,931/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 Dallas?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Dallas has 198 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 Dallas?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Dallas do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Texas 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 Dallas?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Dallas metro area is $1,931/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 Dallas?
- Yes. There are 43 Oxford Houses in the Dallas 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. Dallas has 8 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 Texas?
- 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 Dallas 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 Houston, TX
- ExpungementTexas expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Texas
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Texas
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Texas
- ProbationProbation & parole in Texas
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