How do I find second chance apartments in Jackson?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Jackson has 189 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 Jackson?

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

Rent varies widely in Jackson. 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.

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. Jackson has 7 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 Mississippi?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Jackson, MS

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Jackson, MS Housing at a Glance

189

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Jackson

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Jackson can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Jackson metro area has 189 affordable housing properties, including 162 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 27 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, Jackson has 7 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 6 Oxford Houses in the Jackson 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 Jackson

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Highland Square Apts	1595 W Highland Dr, Jackson, MS 39204	LIHTC	455
Westgate Hills Apts	3175 Robinson St, Jackson, MS 39209	LIHTC	296
Windsor Park Apts	5425 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, MS 39209	LIHTC	279
The Village Apartments	386 Raymond Rd, Jackson, MS 39204	Section 8	264
The Village Apts	386 Raymond Rd, Jackson, MS 39204	LIHTC	264
Grove Apts	150 Woodway Dr, Jackson, MS 39206	LIHTC	256
Elton Park Apts	301 Elton Park Dr, Jackson, MS 39212	LIHTC	216
Summer Park Apts	2010 Chadwick Dr, Jackson, MS 39204	LIHTC	216
Commonwealth Village	3922 B Skyview Dr, Jackson, MS 39213	Section 8	200
Glen Oaks Apts	851 Lindbergh Dr, Jackson, MS	LIHTC	200

Oxford Houses in Jackson

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
Bon AmiVACANCY	1061 Cedar Hill Dr., Jackson, MS	Women	6	2	(601) 862-4398
East NorthsideVACANCY	2230 E.Northside, Jackson, MS	Men	7	3
Forest Park	4408 Forest Park Drive, Jackson, MS	Men	6	0	(769) 572-7682
Medallion	4351 Forest Park Drive, Jackson, MS	Women	6	0
Second StarVACANCY	4436 Forrest Park Drive, Jackson, MS	Men	6	1	(601) 559-2257
WinterviewVACANCY	4636 Kelton Dr., Jackson, MS	Women w/ Children	7	2	(601) 665-4580

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

Dismas Charities, Inc. — Jackson, MS · 502-636-2033

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

WEST JACKSON CDC

1635 Raymond Rd, Jackson, MS

601-946-9310linda.carter@jsums.eduwebsite

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

VOICE OF CALVARY MINISTRIES

531 W. Capitol St., JACKSON, MS

601-969-3088-17sbrown-gorden@vocm.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling

OPERATION HOPE- TRUSTMARK FINANCIAL CORP- JACKSON MS

3645 Highway 80 W, Jackson, MS

769-209-6164william.humble@operationhope.orgwebsite

Services: Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - JACKSON, MS

6424 Lakeover Rd Ste B, Jackson, MS

601-922-4008service@naca.comwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

MISSISSIPPI HOUSING PARTNERSHIP, INC.

1217 N West St, Jackson, MS

601-969-1895website

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

MISSISSIPPI FAITH BASED COALITION FOR COMMUNITY RENEWAL, INC.

1770 Ellis Ave Ste 205, Jackson, MS

601-346-7503bhudson@faithbasedcoalition.comwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling

HOUSING EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, INC.

3405 Medgar Evers Blvd, Jackson, MS

601-981-1960heed@netdoor.comwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, 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 Jackson?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Jackson has 189 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 Jackson?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Jackson do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Mississippi 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 Jackson?: Rent varies widely in Jackson. 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 Jackson?: Yes. There are 6 Oxford Houses in the Jackson 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. Jackson has 7 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 Mississippi?: 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 Jackson 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

ExpungementMississippi expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Mississippi
Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Mississippi
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Mississippi
ProbationProbation & parole in Mississippi
SR22 InsuranceSR22 insurance in Mississippi
License ReinstatementLicense reinstatement in Mississippi
Documents & IDID & documents in Mississippi

Helpful guides

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.