Second Chance Apartments in Kansas City, MO
Last updated:
Kansas City, MO Housing at a Glance
441
Affordable Properties
18
Oxford Houses
$1,358
FMR 2BR Rent
3
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Kansas City
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Kansas City can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Kansas City metro area has 441 affordable housing properties, including 381 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 60 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, Kansas City has 3 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 18 Oxford Houses in the Kansas 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 Kansas City
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presidents Gardens Apts | 8239 Forest Ave Ofc, Kansas City, MO 64131 | LIHTC | 450 |
| Mews | 1800 Mews Dr, Kansas City, MO | LIHTC | 397 |
| Village Green Apts | 1500 E 46th St, Kansas City, MO 64110 | LIHTC | 380 |
| Village Green Apts/brush Creek Village | 1500 E 46th St, Kansas City, MO 64110 | LIHTC | 380 |
| Stonegate Meadows | 10413 E 42nd St, Kansas City, MO 64133 | LIHTC | 366 |
| Ab Apartments | 908 E Armour Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64109 | Section 8 | 306 |
| Parvin Estates | 4033 N Bellaire Ave, Kansas City, MO 64117 | Section 8 | 300 |
| Nob Hill Apts | 9300 Cleveland Ave, Kansas City, MO 64132 | LIHTC | 269 |
| Bridgeport Apts | 10700 Greenwood Rd, Kansas City, MO 64134 | LIHTC | 232 |
| Bridgeport | 10709 Marsh Ave, Kansas City, MO 64134 | LIHTC | 228 |
Oxford Houses in Kansas City
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - KANSAS CITY, MO
100 E 43rd St, Kansas City, MO
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF KANSAS CITY
1423 E Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
CREDIT & HOMEOWNERSHIP EMPOWERMENT SERVICES, INC.
3125 Gillham Plaza, KANSAS CITY, MO
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
Fair Market Rent — Kansas City Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Kansas City is:
$1,358/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 Kansas City?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Kansas City has 441 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 Kansas City?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Kansas City do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Missouri 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 Kansas City?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Kansas City metro area is $1,358/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 Kansas City?
- Yes. There are 18 Oxford Houses in the Kansas 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. Kansas City has 3 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 Missouri?
- 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 Kansas 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
More for your state
- ExpungementMissouri expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Missouri
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Missouri
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Missouri
- ProbationProbation & parole in Missouri
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