How do I find second chance apartments in Greenville?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Greenville has 70 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 Greenville?

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

Rent varies widely in Greenville. 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 Greenville?

Yes. There are 13 Oxford Houses in the Greenville 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. Greenville has 1 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 South 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 Greenville Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Second Chance Apartments in Greenville, SC

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Greenville, SC Housing at a Glance

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Greenville

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Greenville can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Greenville metro area has 70 affordable housing properties, including 63 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 7 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, Greenville has 1 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 Greenville 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 Greenville

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Towers East Apartments	415 N Main St, Greenville, SC 29601	Section 8	271
Towers East Apts	415 N Main St, Greenville, SC 29601	LIHTC	269
Augusta Hills Apts	5300 Augusta Rd, Greenville, SC 29605	LIHTC	260
The Assembly M15-sg450981	5001 Assembly Drive, Greenville, SC 29617	LIHTC	240
Boulder Creek	300 Furman Hall Road, Greenville, SC 29609	Section 8	200
Waters At Augusta	100 Shemwood Lane, Greenville, SC 29605	Section 8	200
Boulder Creek	300 Furman Hall Rd, Greenville, SC 29609	LIHTC	200
Shemwood Crossing	100 Shemwood Ln, Greenville, SC 29605	LIHTC	200
Rocky Creek Apts	1901 Woodruff Rd, Greenville, SC 29607	LIHTC	200
Berkley Pointe Apts	500 Wenwood Rd, Greenville, SC 29607	LIHTC	185

Oxford Houses in Greenville

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
Belvue	6 W Belvue Rd, Greenville, SC	Men	7	0	(864) 509-0337
Carolina Pride	213 Stratford Rd, Greenville, SC	Men	6	0	(864) 214-1145
ClockworkVACANCY	501 E Dorchester Blvd, Greenville, SC	Men	8	1	(864) 775-4099
ConesteeVACANCY	1 Flamingo Dr, Greenville, SC	Men	8	1	(864) 283-0339
Ellakai 2	3916 White Horse Rd, Greenville, SC	Men	10	0	(864) 349-1001
Epiphany 2	32 Hodgens Dr, Greenville, SC	Men	7	0	(864) 248-0903
Honey Grove	422 Grove Rd, Greenville, SC	Women	6	0	(864) 412-8743
Nouveaux Famille	611 Cherokee Drive, Greenville, SC	Men	7	0	(864) 248-0889
Nueva Vida	37 Pine Knoll Dr, Greenville, SC	Men	9	0	(864) 252-4408
Parkins Mill	325 Parkins Mill Rd, Greenville, SC	Women w/ Children	8	0	(864) 263-7100
PendulumVACANCY	101 Lancaster Lane, Greenville, SC	Men	7	1	(864) 631-1022
S. Goodwin	3 Pine Creek Ct, Greenville, SC	Women	9	0	(864) 203-7309
Semper Viva	8 E Crossridge Dr, Greenville, SC	Women	8	0	(864) 252-4023

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

Alston Wilkes Society, Inc.; DBA: Alston Wilkes Central — Greenville, SC · 269-383-0450

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

GREENVILLE COUNTY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION

301 University Rdg, Greenville, SC

864-467-7095yduckett@greenvillecounty.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, 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 Greenville?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Greenville has 70 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 Greenville?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Greenville do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. South 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 Greenville?: Rent varies widely in Greenville. 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 Greenville?: Yes. There are 13 Oxford Houses in the Greenville 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. Greenville has 1 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 South 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 Greenville 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 Columbia, SC
ExpungementSouth Carolina expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in South Carolina
Gun RightsFelon gun rights in South Carolina
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in South Carolina
ProbationProbation & parole in South Carolina
SR22 InsuranceSR22 insurance in South Carolina
License ReinstatementLicense reinstatement in South Carolina

Helpful guides

Criminal LawFelony vs. misdemeanor — what's the difference?
RightsCan a felon become a nurse?
RecoveryOnline recovery meetings
Banking & CreditCredit builder loans

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.