Second Chance Apartments in Greensboro, NC
Last updated:
Greensboro, NC Housing at a Glance
253
Affordable Properties
29
Oxford Houses
N/A
FMR 2BR Rent
5
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Greensboro
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Greensboro can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Greensboro metro area has 253 affordable housing properties, including 235 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 18 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, Greensboro has 5 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 29 Oxford Houses in the Greensboro 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 Greensboro
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont Courts | 2702 Patio Place, Greensboro, NC 27405 | LIHTC | 250 |
| Ray Warren | 1300 E Gate City Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27406 | LIHTC | 236 |
| Printworks Mill Apartments | 1700 Fairview Street, Greensboro, NC 27405 | LIHTC | 217 |
| Trinity Gardens Apartments | 809 Carrieland Dr, Greensboro, NC 27405 | Section 8 | 152 |
| The Carillon | 4512 Lawndale Drive, Greensboro, NC 27455 | LIHTC | 150 |
| Lincoln Grove Apts | 503 Gillespie St 18, Greensboro, NC 27401 | LIHTC | 116 |
| The Townhomes At Willow Oaks | 1806 Morning Joy Place, Greensboro, NC 27401 | LIHTC | 110 |
| J T Hairston Memorial Apts | 718 Marsh Street, Greensboro, NC 27406 | Section 8 | 108 |
| Prince Edward Graves Homes | 2504 16th St, Greensboro, NC 27405 | Section 8 | 100 |
| Parkview Apts (greensboro) | 407 Avalon Rd, Greensboro, NC 27401 | LIHTC | 82 |
Oxford Houses in Greensboro
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.
- Dismas Charities, Inc. — Greensboro, NC · 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.
HOUSING FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, GREENSBORO BRANCH
122 N Elm St Ste 525, Greensboro, NC
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
HOUSING CONSULTANTS GROUP
1031 Summit Ave, Greensboro, NC
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF GREENSBORO D/B/A GREENSBORO HOUSING AUTHORITY
450 N Church St, Greensboro, NC
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
GREENSBORO HOUSING COALITION
1031 Summit Ave, Greensboro, NC
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling
CCCS OF GREATER GREENSBORO
315 E Washington St, Greensboro, NC
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Reverse Mortgage 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 Greensboro?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Greensboro has 253 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 Greensboro?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Greensboro 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 Greensboro?
- Rent varies widely in Greensboro. 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 Greensboro?
- Yes. There are 29 Oxford Houses in the Greensboro 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. Greensboro has 5 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 Greensboro 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 Raleigh, NC
- ExpungementNorth Carolina expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in North Carolina
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in North Carolina
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in North Carolina
- ProbationProbation & parole in North Carolina
- SR22 InsuranceSR22 insurance in North Carolina
- License ReinstatementLicense reinstatement in North Carolina
Helpful guides
- EducationTrade schools for felons
- Food & BenefitsEBT card guide
- Phone & InternetFree government phone (Lifeline program)
- UtilitiesShutoff / disconnection protection