Second Chance Apartments in Houston, TX
Last updated:
Houston, TX Housing at a Glance
317
Affordable Properties
28
Oxford Houses
$1,573
FMR 2BR Rent
10
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Houston
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Houston can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Houston metro area has 317 affordable housing properties, including 274 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 43 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, Houston has 10 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 28 Oxford Houses in the Houston 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 Houston
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista On Gessner | 6005-6525 S. Gessner Road, Houston, TX 77036 | LIHTC | 805 |
| Lacasita Apts | 313 Sunnyside St, Houston, TX 77076 | LIHTC | 624 |
| Pines Of Westbury Phase II | 12500 Dunlap St, Houston, TX 77035 | LIHTC | 563 |
| The Bridges | 15915 Kuykendahl Rd, Houston, TX 77068 | LIHTC | 452 |
| Village Park Apartments | 8701 Hammerly Blvd, Houston, TX 77080 | LIHTC | 418 |
| Premier On Woodfair | 9502 Woodfair Dr, Houston, TX 77036 | LIHTC | 408 |
| Erte Apts | 3737 Hillcroft St, Houston, TX 77057 | LIHTC | 381 |
| Pines Of Westbury Phase I | 12500 Dunlap St, Houston, TX 77035 | LIHTC | 377 |
| Sterling Grove | 6240 Antoine Dr, Houston, TX 77091 | LIHTC | 361 |
| Willow Green Apts | 8301 Willow Pl Dr N, Houston, TX 77070 | LIHTC | 336 |
Oxford Houses in Houston
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.
- GEO Reentry, Inc. — Houston, TX · 561-999-7548
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
OPERATION HOPE - HOUSTON TX
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - HOUSTON, TX
14425 Torrey Chase Blvd Ste 200, Houston, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE - BRANCH OFFICE
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
FIFTH-WARD COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT CORP.
4300 Lyons Ave Ste 300, Houston, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
EASTER SEALS OF GREATER HOUSTON, INC.
4888 Loop Central Dr, Houston, TX
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
CREDIT COALITION HECM-HOPE
Services: Reverse Mortgage Counseling
CREDIT COALITION
Services: Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER
9800 Town Park Dr, Houston, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Workshop
AVENUE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
3517 Irvington Blvd, Houston, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
Fair Market Rent — Houston Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Houston is:
$1,573/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 Houston?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Houston has 317 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 Houston?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Houston do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Texas 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 Houston?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Houston metro area is $1,573/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 Houston?
- Yes. There are 28 Oxford Houses in the Houston 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. Houston has 10 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 Texas?
- 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 Houston 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 Austin, TX
- ExpungementTexas expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Texas
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Texas
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Texas
- ProbationProbation & parole in Texas
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