How do I find second chance apartments in Jersey City?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Jersey City has 109 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 Jersey City?

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

Rent varies widely in Jersey City. 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 Jersey City?

Yes. There are 1 Oxford Houses in the Jersey City 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. Jersey City has 1 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 New Jersey?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Jersey City, NJ

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Jersey City, NJ Housing at a Glance

109

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Jersey City

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Jersey City can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Jersey City metro area has 109 affordable housing properties, including 79 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 30 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, Jersey City has 1 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 1 Oxford Houses in the Jersey City 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 Jersey City

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Summit Plaza Apartments	730 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306	Section 8	483
Salem Lafayette Apts	94 Union Street, Jersey City, NJ 07304	Section 8	415
Salem Lafayette	94 Union Street, Jersey City, NJ 7304	LIHTC	411
Whitlock Mills	160 Lafayette Street, Jersey City, NJ 7304	LIHTC	330
Grandview Terrace	3060 Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07306	Section 8	283
Blaine Apartments	72 Montgomery St, Jersey City, NJ 07302	Section 8	239
Van Wagenen Ave Apts I	85 Van Wagenen Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306	Section 8	233
Boyd Mcguiness	2555 Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07304	Section 8	211
Montgomery Gateway East I	336 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302	Section 8	200
Montgomery Gateway East II	82-86b Brunswick St, Jersey City, NJ 07302	Section 8	190

Oxford Houses in Jersey City

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
CatorVACANCY	290 Cator Ave, Jersey City, NJ	Men	10	1	(201) 659-1923

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

THE WATERFRONT PROJECT, INC.

830 Bergen Ave., JERSEY CITY, NJ

551-256-7578director@thewaterfrontproject.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, 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 Jersey City?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Jersey City has 109 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 Jersey City?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Jersey City do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. New Jersey 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 Jersey City?: Rent varies widely in Jersey City. 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 Jersey City?: Yes. There are 1 Oxford Houses in the Jersey City 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. Jersey City has 1 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 New Jersey?: 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 Jersey City Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Related Resources on This Site

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HousingSecond chance apartments in Newark, NJ
ExpungementNew Jersey expungement guide
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License ReinstatementLicense reinstatement in New Jersey

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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.