How do I find second chance apartments in Harrisburg?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Harrisburg has 79 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 Harrisburg?

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

Rent varies widely in Harrisburg. 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 Harrisburg?

While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Harrisburg, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the Pennsylvania 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. Harrisburg 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 Pennsylvania?

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 Harrisburg Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Second Chance Apartments in Harrisburg, PA

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Harrisburg, PA Housing at a Glance

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Harrisburg

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Harrisburg can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Harrisburg metro area has 79 affordable housing properties, including 69 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 10 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, Harrisburg 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.

Largest Affordable Housing Properties in Harrisburg

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Maclay Apts	, Harrisburg, PA	LIHTC	222
Harmony Tower	322 N Second St, Harrisburg, PA 17101	Section 8	165
Harrisburg Park Apts	1413-1415 South 15th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104	Section 8	163
Bnai Brith Apartments	130 S 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17101	Section 8	147
Ivey Lane	3 Ivey Ln, Harrisburg, PA 17104	Section 8	138
Ivey Lane Apts	16 Ivey Ln, Harrisburg, PA 17104	LIHTC	135
Edison Village	101 S. 18th St., Harrisburg, PA 17104	Section 8	125
River Trail Terrace Aka Linden Terrace	1201 Front St, Harrisburg, PA 17102	Section 8	124
Cumberland Court	, Harrisburg, PA 17102	LIHTC	108
Eastridge Apts	102 Worcester Ave, Harrisburg, PA 17111	LIHTC	107

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

Firetree, Ltd.; DBA: Capitol Pavillion — Harrisburg, PA · 570-601-0877

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

TRI-COUNTY HDC LTD

201 N Front St, Harrisburg, PA

717-231-3604internalAlerts-CMS@indisoft.uswebsite

Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

THE FAIR HOUSING COUNCIL OF THE CAPITAL REGION, INC

2100 N 6th St, Harrisburg, PA

717-238-9540website

Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling

PENNSYLVANIA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY

211 North Front Street, HARRISBURG, PA

800-342-2397hudreporting@phfa.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending 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 Harrisburg?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Harrisburg has 79 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 Harrisburg?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Harrisburg do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Pennsylvania 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 Harrisburg?: Rent varies widely in Harrisburg. 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 Harrisburg?: While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Harrisburg, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the Pennsylvania 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. Harrisburg 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 Pennsylvania?: 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 Harrisburg Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

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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.