Second Chance Apartments in Fort Worth, TX
Last updated:
Fort Worth, TX Housing at a Glance
149
Affordable Properties
34
Oxford Houses
N/A
FMR 2BR Rent
3
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Fort Worth
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Fort Worth can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Fort Worth metro area has 149 affordable housing properties, including 109 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 40 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, Fort Worth has 3 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 34 Oxford Houses in the Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon At Stonegate (rad) | 2501 Oak Hill Cir, Fort Worth, TX 76109 | Section 8 | 582 |
| Cambridge Court Apts (rad) | 8124 Calmont Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76116 | Section 8 | 331 |
| Cambridge Courts | 8124 Calmont Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76116 | LIHTC | 330 |
| Mercantile Apartments | 3600 Tanacross Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76137 | LIHTC | 324 |
| Broadmoor Apartments | 2900 Broadmoor Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76116 | LIHTC | 324 |
| The Landings At Marine Creek | 4250 Old Decatur Road, Fort Worth, TX 76106 | LIHTC | 302 |
| Reserve At Quebec | 6655 Calgary Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76135 | LIHTC | 296 |
| Sycamore Center Villas | 7901 Chandra Ln, Fort Worth, TX 76134 | LIHTC | 280 |
| Ironwood Crossing | 2600 Western Ctr Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76131 | LIHTC | 280 |
| Wildwood Branch | 6225 Shady Oaks Manor Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76135 | LIHTC | 278 |
Oxford Houses in Fort Worth
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Volunteers of America Texas, Inc. — Fort Worth, TX · 817-529-7300
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES OF FORT WORTH
1065 W Magnolia Ave Ste A, Fort Worth, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
HOUSING CHANNEL
851 Grainger St, Fort Worth, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
FORT WORTH AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INC
9333 N Normandale St, Fort Worth, TX
Services: Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase 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 Fort Worth?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Fort Worth has 149 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 Fort Worth?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth?
- Rent varies widely in Fort Worth. 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 Fort Worth?
- Yes. There are 34 Oxford Houses in the Fort Worth 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. Fort Worth has 3 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 Fort Worth 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
- SR22 InsuranceSR22 insurance in Texas
- License ReinstatementLicense reinstatement in Texas
Helpful guides
- RightsCan a felon get a passport?
- RecoveryOnline recovery meetings
- Banking & CreditSecond chance bank accounts
- EducationTrade schools for felons