Second Chance Apartments in Los Angeles, CA
Last updated:
Los Angeles, CA Housing at a Glance
836
Affordable Properties
0
Oxford Houses
$2,601
FMR 2BR Rent
10
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Los Angeles
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Los Angeles can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Los Angeles metro area has 836 affordable housing properties, including 562 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 274 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, Los Angeles 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.
Largest Affordable Housing Properties in Los Angeles
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angelus Plaza | 245 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | Section 8 | 761 |
| Angelus Plaza | 255 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | LIHTC | 761 |
| The Alexandria Hotel | 501 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013 | LIHTC | 463 |
| Wilshire Vermont Station | 3183 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010 | LIHTC | 449 |
| Van Nuys Pierce Park Apts. | 12700 Van Nuys Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91331 | Section 8 | 430 |
| Dolores Frances Apts | 1809 W 11th St, Los Angeles, CA 90006 | LIHTC | 390 |
| Waterstone Apartments | 9901 Lurline Ave, Los Angeles, CA 91311 | Section 8 | 354 |
| Angelus Plaza North | 200 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | LIHTC | 332 |
| Olive Street Development | 740 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90014 | LIHTC | 309 |
| Grand Plaza | 601 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 | LIHTC | 302 |
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- GEO Reentry, Inc. — Los Angeles, CA · 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.
WEST ANGELES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP.
6028 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
SHALOM CENTER FOR T.R.E.E. OF LIFE
2975 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NID-HCA REEVES
4602 Crenshaw Blvd Ste 2A, Los Angeles, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
NEW ECONOMICS FOR WOMEN
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
MONEY MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL, LOS ANGELES
6080 Center Dr Fl 6, Los Angeles, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
LOS ANGELES NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES, INC
3926 Wilshire Blvd Ste 200, Los Angeles, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
KOREAN RESOURCE CENTER
900 Crenshaw Blvd, LOS ANGELES, CA
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
HAVEN SERVICES INC
3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
FAITH AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT FORMERLY KOREAN CHURCHES FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
3435 Wilshire Blvd Ste 350, Los Angeles, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
EAST LA COMMUNITY CORPORATION (ELACC)
2917 E 1st St Ste 101, Los Angeles, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
Fair Market Rent — Los Angeles Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Los Angeles is:
$2,601/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 Los Angeles?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Los Angeles has 836 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 Los Angeles?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Los Angeles do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. California 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 Los Angeles?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Los Angeles metro area is $2,601/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 Los Angeles?
- While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Los Angeles, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the California substance abuse helpline, or SAMHSA's national helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for referrals to sober living homes in your area.
- 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. Los Angeles 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 California?
- 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 Los Angeles 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 San Francisco, CA
- ExpungementCalifornia expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in California
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in California
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in California
- ProbationProbation & parole in California
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