Second Chance Apartments in Detroit, MI
Last updated:
Detroit, MI Housing at a Glance
402
Affordable Properties
0
Oxford Houses
$1,411
FMR 2BR Rent
17
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Detroit
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Detroit can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Detroit metro area has 402 affordable housing properties, including 342 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 60 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, Detroit has 17 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.
Largest Affordable Housing Properties in Detroit
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Towers | 7800 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48214 | LIHTC | 472 |
| Parkview Tower & Square | 1601 Robert Bradby Dr, Detroit, MI 48207 | Section 8 | 354 |
| Freedom Place | 1101 W Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48201 | LIHTC | 352 |
| Fountain Court Cooperative 1-4 | 3088 Lawton St, Detroit, MI 48216 | Section 8 | 351 |
| Lexington Village (detroit) | 1310 Pallister St, Detroit, MI 48202 | LIHTC | 350 |
| Parkview Tower | 1601 Bradby Dr, Detroit, MI 48207 | LIHTC | 350 |
| Martin Luther King II | 595 Chene, Detroit, MI 48207 | Section 8 | 312 |
| Martin Luther King Homes II | 573 Chene St, Detroit, MI 48207 | LIHTC | 312 |
| River Place Apts | 500 River Pl Dr, Detroit, MI 48207 | LIHTC | 301 |
| Bicentennial Towers Senior Housing | 4 E Alexandrine St, Detroit, MI 48201 | Section 8 | 300 |
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Cherry Street Services, Inc. — Detroit, MI · 606-965-8215
- Cherry Street Services, Inc. — Detroit, MI · 616-965-8215
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
WAYNE METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY
7310 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
Services: Default/Foreclosure 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
WAYNE COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES MICHIGAN dba NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES MICHIGAN
7310 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
SOUTHWEST ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS DBA MIWEALTH
2835 Bagley St Ste 800, Detroit, MI
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
SEED - SOWING EMPOWERMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
8570 Grandmont Ave, Detroit, MI
Services: Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - DETROIT MI
NID-HCA BORROWER HELP CENTER
19966 Livernois Ave, Detroit, MI
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
NATIONAL FAITH HOMEBUYERS
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
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE -WAYNE DETROIT
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Workshop
MATRIX HUMAN SERVICES
13560 E McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
JEFFERSON EAST, INC.
14300 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
GREENPATH FINANCIAL WELLNESS
2470 Collingwood St, Detroit, MI
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling
FAMILY TREE, INC.
615 Griswold St Ste 700, Detroit, MI
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, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
DETROIT HISPANIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
CENTRAL DETROIT CHRISTIAN CDC
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
BRIDGING COMMUNITIES, INC.
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
AMANDLA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling
ABAYOMI COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
24331 W 8 Mile Rd, Detroit, MI
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
Fair Market Rent — Detroit Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Detroit is:
$1,411/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 Detroit?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Detroit has 402 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 Detroit?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Detroit do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Michigan 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 Detroit?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Detroit metro area is $1,411/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 Detroit?
- While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Detroit, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the Michigan substance abuse helpline, or SAMHSA's national helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for referrals to sober living homes in your area.
- 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. Detroit has 17 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 Michigan?
- 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 Detroit 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
- ExpungementMichigan expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Michigan
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Michigan
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Michigan
- ProbationProbation & parole in Michigan
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