Second Chance Apartments in Hartford, CT
Last updated:
Hartford, CT Housing at a Glance
102
Affordable Properties
0
Oxford Houses
$1,865
FMR 2BR Rent
4
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Hartford
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Hartford can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Hartford metro area has 102 affordable housing properties, including 65 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 37 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, Hartford 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.
Largest Affordable Housing Properties in Hartford
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clemens Place | 17 Owen St, Hartford, CT 06105 | Section 8 | 585 |
| Shepherd Park | 170 Sisson Ave, Hartford, CT 06105 | Section 8 | 372 |
| Chappelle Gardens | 367 Barbour St, Hartford, CT 06120 | Section 8 | 179 |
| Tuscan Homes I & II | 71 - 79 Montville Streef, Hartford, CT 06120 | Section 8 | 169 |
| Greens | , Hartford, CT | LIHTC | 160 |
| Clay Arsenal Renaissance Apartments | 17 Beldon Street, Hartford, CT 06120 | Section 8 | 150 |
| Sana Apts - High Rise | 1620 Main St, Hartford, CT 6120 | LIHTC | 148 |
| Capitol Towers | 470 Broad St, Hartford, CT 06106 | Section 8 | 144 |
| Capitol Towers Apartments | 470 Broad Street, Hartford, CT 6106 | LIHTC | 144 |
| Underwood Elderly Apts | 25 Laurel St, Hartford, CT 06106 | Section 8 | 136 |
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER HARTFORD, INC.
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - HARTFORD CT
241 Main St Fl 1, Hartford, CT
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
MUTUAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION OF GREATER HARTFORD, INC.
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
COMMUNITY RENEWAL TEAM, INC.
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
Fair Market Rent — Hartford Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Hartford is:
$1,865/month (2BR)
With subsidized housing (LIHTC or Section 8), you typically pay 30% of your adjusted gross income — often significantly less than market rate.
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 Hartford?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Hartford has 102 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 Hartford?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Hartford do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Connecticut 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 Hartford?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Hartford metro area is $1,865/month. Subsidized housing through LIHTC or Section 8 programs typically costs 30% of your adjusted gross income, which can be significantly less than market rate.
- Are there sober living homes in Hartford?
- While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Hartford, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the Connecticut 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. Hartford 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 Connecticut?
- 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 Hartford 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
- ExpungementConnecticut expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Connecticut
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Connecticut
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Connecticut
- ProbationProbation & parole in Connecticut
Helpful guides
- Background ChecksWhat shows up on a background check?
- Background ChecksHow far back do background checks go?
- Background ChecksTypes of background checks
- Background ChecksHow to check your own record