Second Chance Apartments in Denver, CO
Last updated:
Denver, CO Housing at a Glance
252
Affordable Properties
8
Oxford Houses
$2,089
FMR 2BR Rent
6
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Denver
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Denver can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Denver metro area has 252 affordable housing properties, including 200 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 52 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, Denver 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 8 Oxford Houses in the Denver 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 Denver
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dha Scattered Sites | 1300 Fillmore St, Denver, CO 80206 | LIHTC | 418 |
| Grand Lowry Lofts | 200 Rampart Way, Denver, CO 80230 | LIHTC | 261 |
| Mountain View Tower & Eliot Cottages | 1222 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219 | LIHTC | 254 |
| Mountainview Elliot Street | 1212 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219 | Section 8 | 253 |
| East Range Crossings | 5810 Argonne Street, Denver, CO 80249 | LIHTC | 252 |
| Sunset Park Apts | 1865 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80202 | LIHTC | 242 |
| Welton Park Apartments | 2300 Welton, Denver, CO 80205 | LIHTC | 223 |
| Broadway Plaza Lofts | 2330 N Broadway, Denver, CO 80205 | LIHTC | 223 |
| Renaissance At Civic Center Apts | 25 E 16th Ave, Denver, CO 80202 | LIHTC | 216 |
| Sierra Vista Apartments | 8851 E. Florida Ave., Denver, CO 80247 | LIHTC | 209 |
Oxford Houses in Denver
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
| Name | Address | Gender | Beds | Vacancies | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canosa | 736 South Canosa St, Denver, CO | Men | 8 | 0 | (303) 862-5329 |
| Clear CreekVACANCY | 5535 Clear Creek Drive, Denver, CO | Men | 6 | 1 | (720) 363-4790 |
| Evans Ave. | 2319 S. Perry St., Denver, CO | Men | 7 | 0 | (303) 942-1450 |
| Kalamath | 4105 Kalamath Street, Denver, CO | Men | 7 | 0 | (303) 955-0722 |
| MexicoVACANCY | 3200 E Mexico Ave, Denver, CO | Men | 8 | 2 | (303) 558-0779 |
| MonacoVACANCY | 6662 E Dickenson Place, Denver, CO | Men | 8 | 1 | (720) 390-6949 |
| OsceolaVACANCY | 180 Osceola St., Denver, CO | Men | 8 | 1 | (303) 284-9298 |
| ZurichVACANCY | 3029 South Zurich Ct., Denver, CO | Women | 8 | 1 | (303) 862-5295 |
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- RRK Enterprise dba Independence House — Denver, CO · 303-919-7231
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
THE COMMUNITY FIRM DBA COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEFENSE PROJECT CEDP
1600 N Downing St Ste 600, Denver, CO
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling
SOUTHWEST IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
NORTHEAST DENVER HOUSING CENTER
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, Rental Housing Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
NEWSED CDC
901 W 10th Ave Ste 2A, Denver, CO
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
DENVER HOUSING AUTHORITY
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
COLORADO HOUSING ASSISTANCE CORPORATION
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
Fair Market Rent — Denver Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Denver is:
$2,089/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 Denver?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Denver 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 Denver?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Denver do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Colorado 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 Denver?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Denver metro area is $2,089/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 Denver?
- Yes. There are 8 Oxford Houses in the Denver 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. Denver 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 Colorado?
- 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 Denver 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
- ExpungementColorado expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Colorado
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Colorado
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Colorado
- ProbationProbation & parole in Colorado
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