How do I find second chance apartments in Grand Rapids?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Grand Rapids has 105 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 Grand Rapids?

Not necessarily. Many landlords in Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids?

Rent varies widely in Grand Rapids. 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 Grand Rapids?

Yes. There are 1 Oxford Houses in the Grand Rapids 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. Grand Rapids has 4 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 Grand Rapids Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Second Chance Apartments in Grand Rapids, MI

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Grand Rapids, MI Housing at a Glance

105

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Grand Rapids

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Grand Rapids can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Grand Rapids metro area has 105 affordable housing properties, including 83 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 22 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, Grand Rapids has 4 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 1 Oxford Houses in the Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Diamond Place	1003 Michigan Street Ne, Grand Rapids, MI 49503	LIHTC	456
Traditions Of Grand Rapids	2230 Eastcastle Dr Se, Grand Rapids, MI 49508	LIHTC	200
Grandview Apartments	1925 Bridge St Nw, Grand Rapids, MI 49504	Section 8	193
Weston Apartments	50 Weston Ave. Sw, Grand Rapids, MI 49503	Section 8	190
Weston Apts	44 Ionia Ave Sw, Grand Rapids, MI 49503	LIHTC	190
Villa Maria Retirement Community	1305 Walker Nw, Grand Rapids, MI 49504	Section 8	180
Park Place Apt Homes (grand Rapids	2908 2910 2912 Marshal Ave, Grand Rapids, MI	LIHTC	162
Breton Village Green	2305 Burton Se, Grand Rapids, MI 49506	LIHTC	162
Ransom Towers	50 Ransom Ne, Grand Rapids, MI 49503	Section 8	153
Marsh Ridge (i & Ii)	470 Marsh Ridge Dr Nw, Grand Rapids, MI 49504	LIHTC	150

Oxford Houses in Grand Rapids

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
Lake MichiganVACANCY	155 Garfield Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI	Men	9	1	(616) 551-1440

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

Cherry Street Services, Inc. — Grand Rapids, 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.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION- GRAND RAPIDS KENT COUNTY

775 Ball Ave., N.E., GRAND RAPIDS, MI

616-632-7874ortquisj@msu.eduwebsite

Services: Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Workshop

ICCF COMMUNITY HOMES

415 Martin Luther King Jr St SE Ste 100, Grand Rapids, MI

616-336-9333services@iccf.orgwebsite

Services: Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

HOME REPAIR SERVICES OF KENT COUNTY

1100 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI

616-241-2601website

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop

GRAND RAPIDS URBAN LEAGUE DBA Urban League of West Michigan

745 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI

616-245-2207info@grurbanleague.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling

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 Grand Rapids?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Grand Rapids has 105 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 Grand Rapids?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids?: Rent varies widely in Grand Rapids. 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 Grand Rapids?: Yes. There are 1 Oxford Houses in the Grand Rapids 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. Grand Rapids has 4 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 Grand Rapids 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 Detroit, MI
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
SR22 InsuranceSR22 insurance in Michigan
License ReinstatementLicense reinstatement in Michigan

Helpful guides

ProbationProbation violations — what happens?
TransportationDUI vs. DWI vs. OWI — what's the difference?
Background ChecksHow to check your own record
Criminal LawFelony vs. misdemeanor — what's the difference?

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.