Second Chance Apartments in Indianapolis, IN
Last updated:
Indianapolis, IN Housing at a Glance
337
Affordable Properties
23
Oxford Houses
$1,473
FMR 2BR Rent
5
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Indianapolis
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Indianapolis can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Indianapolis metro area has 337 affordable housing properties, including 286 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 51 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, Indianapolis 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 23 Oxford Houses in the Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodridge Apts | 2085 Waterford Pl, Indianapolis, IN 46260 | LIHTC | 519 |
| N Oaks Of Broad Ripple | 5018 Lemans Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46205 | LIHTC | 398 |
| Cambridge Square North | 2484 Stockbridge Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46268 | Section 8 | 380 |
| Meadowlark Apartments | 9418-9428 E. 43rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46235 | Section 8 | 360 |
| Sutton Place Apts | 9350 E 43rd St, Indianapolis, IN 46235 | LIHTC | 360 |
| Bradford Lake Apts | 7626 Portage Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227 | LIHTC | 357 |
| Hunter's Ridge | 9027 E 39th Pl, Indianapolis, IN 46235 | LIHTC | 354 |
| Willow Lake Gardens Apts | 6875 Faris Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46226 | LIHTC | 354 |
| Meadowlark Apts | 9426 E 44th St, Indianapolis, IN 46235 | LIHTC | 354 |
| Phoenix Apts | 4004 Meadows Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46205 | LIHTC | 330 |
Oxford Houses in Indianapolis
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.
- Volunteers of America Indiana, Inc — Indianapolis, IN · 440-717-1500
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
NID-HCA MARION COUNTY
2625 N Meridian St Suite 49-B, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
INTEND INDIANA, INC
1704 Bellefontaine St, Indianapolis, IN
Services: Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
INDIANAPOLIS NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING PARTNERSHIP HOMEOWNERSHIP CENTER AT GLENDALE
2620 Kessler Blvd. E. Drive, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Services: Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
INDIANAPOLIS NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
3550 Washington Blvd, Indianapolis, IN
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER INDIANAPOLIS
3135 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling
Fair Market Rent — Indianapolis Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Indianapolis is:
$1,473/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 Indianapolis?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Indianapolis has 337 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 Indianapolis?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Indianapolis do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Indiana 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 Indianapolis?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Indianapolis metro area is $1,473/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 Indianapolis?
- Yes. There are 23 Oxford Houses in the Indianapolis 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. Indianapolis 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 Indiana?
- 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 Indianapolis 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
- ExpungementIndiana expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Indiana
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Indiana
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Indiana
- ProbationProbation & parole in Indiana
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