How do I find second chance apartments in El Paso?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — El Paso has 192 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 El Paso?

Not necessarily. Many landlords in El Paso 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 El Paso?

Rent varies widely in El Paso. 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 El Paso?

While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in El Paso, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the Texas 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. El Paso 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 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 El Paso Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Second Chance Apartments in El Paso, TX

Last updated: 2026-03-25

El Paso, TX Housing at a Glance

192

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in El Paso

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in El Paso can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The El Paso metro area has 192 affordable housing properties, including 129 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 63 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, El Paso 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.

Largest Affordable Housing Properties in El Paso

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Cramer Three Apartments (rad/221d4)	184 Barker Rd, El Paso, TX 79915	Section 8	426
Sun Plaza (rad)	1221 E San Antonio Ave, El Paso, TX 79901	Section 8	352
Chelsea Plaza Apartments (rad)	600 Chelsea St, El Paso, TX 79903	Section 8	330
Sun Plaza	1221 E San Antonio Ave, El Paso, TX 79901	LIHTC	330
Chelsea Plaza Apartments	600 Chelsea, El Paso, TX 79903	LIHTC	330
Amberwood Apts	5249 Wren Ave, El Paso, TX 79924	LIHTC	310
Rafael Marmolejo, Jr. Apartments (rad)	600 N Carolina Dr, El Paso, TX 79915	Section 8	292
Tays North (rad)	2114 Magoffin Ave, El Paso, TX 79901	Section 8	278
Tays North	2114 Magoffin Avenue, El Paso, TX 79901	LIHTC	278
Sandoval Two Apartments (rad/221d4)	224 S. Ascarate Street, El Paso, TX 79905	Section 8	274

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

Dismas Charities, Inc. — El Paso, TX · 502-636-2033

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

GECU FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

6801 Viscount Blvd, El Paso, TX

915-774-2160communitydevelopment@gecu.comwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

EL PASO COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, PROJECT BRAVO, INC.

2000 Texas Ave, El Paso, TX

915-562-4100website

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

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 El Paso?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — El Paso has 192 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 El Paso?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in El Paso 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 El Paso?: Rent varies widely in El Paso. 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 El Paso?: While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in El Paso, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the Texas 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. El Paso 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 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 El Paso Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Related Resources on This Site

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SR22 InsuranceSR22 insurance in Texas
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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.