How do I find second chance apartments in Durham?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Durham has 83 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 Durham?

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

Rent varies widely in Durham. Subsidized housing through LIHTC or Section 8 programs typically costs 30% of your adjusted gross income, which can be significantly less than market rate. Contact local housing authorities for current availability and rates.

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. Durham 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 North Carolina?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Durham, NC

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Durham, NC Housing at a Glance

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Durham

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Durham can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Durham metro area has 83 affordable housing properties, including 68 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 15 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, Durham 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 13 Oxford Houses in the Durham 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 Durham

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Falls Pointe At The Park	5400 South Alston Avenue, Durham, NC 27713	LIHTC	312
Wellington Place Apts	4230 Garrett Rd, Durham, NC 27707	LIHTC	283
Wellington Place Apts	4230 Garrett Road, Durham, NC 27707	LIHTC	246
Morreene Road Apartments	3206 Glasson Street, Durham, NC 27705	LIHTC	224
Ivy Commons	412 E Pilot St, Durham, NC 27707	LIHTC	223
The Ivy Commons	412 East Pilot Street Apt A 4, Durham, NC 27701	LIHTC	223
Alston Village Apts	5400 S Alston Ave, Durham, NC 27713	LIHTC	204
Briar Green Apartments	1155 Briar Rose Lane, Durham, NC 27704	LIHTC	200
Jfk Towers	4900 Roxboro Rd, Durham, NC 27704	Section 8	178
Greens At Pine Glen	6201 Pine Glen Trail, Durham, NC 27713	LIHTC	168

Oxford Houses in Durham

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
Amhurst RoadVACANCY	6420 Amhurst Road, Durham, NC	Women w/ Children	8	2	(919) 237-3401
Brandon RoadVACANCY	915 Brandon Road, Durham, NC	Women	7	1	(919) 381-4632
CentralVACANCY	1804 Primrose Place, Durham, NC	Men	7	2	(919) 381-5075
Driver	3013 Oxford Drive, Durham, NC	Men	9	0	(919) 251-9385
DurhamVACANCY	203 Pekoe Street, Durham, NC	Men	9	2	(919) 251-9102
Ferris	715 Ferris Road, Durham, NC	Men	7	0	(919) 237-3752
Maynard	412 E. Maynard Street, Durham, NC	Men	6	0	(919) 294-8480
Mcgehee	2411 Mcgehee St., Durham, NC	Men	6	0	(919) 237-2995
MillenniumVACANCY	322 N. Lasalle Street, Durham, NC	Men	9	1	(919) 294-4574
Morreene RoadVACANCY	518 Morreene Road, Durham, NC	Men	10	2	(919) 767-0099
Peace StreetVACANCY	2815 Wyeth Avenue, Durham, NC	Men	9	4	(919) 591-4719
SpauldingVACANCY	103 Erie Street, Durham, NC	Men	7	2	(919) 237-1344
StreborVACANCY	2121 Strebor Street, Durham, NC	Men	6	1	(919) 937-9002

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

REINVESTMENT PARTNERS

110 E Geer St, Durham, NC

919-667-1000info@reinvestmentpartners.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

NORTH CAROLINA HOUSING COALITION

3608 University Dr Ste 201, Durham, NC

919-881-0707info@nchousing.orgwebsite

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 Durham?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Durham has 83 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 Durham?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Durham do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. North Carolina 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 Durham?: Rent varies widely in Durham. Subsidized housing through LIHTC or Section 8 programs typically costs 30% of your adjusted gross income, which can be significantly less than market rate. Contact local housing authorities for current availability and rates.
Are there sober living homes in Durham?: Yes. There are 13 Oxford Houses in the Durham 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. Durham 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 North Carolina?: 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 Durham Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

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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.