How do I find second chance apartments in Memphis?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Memphis has 217 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 Memphis?

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

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Memphis metro area is $1,274/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.

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. Memphis has 4 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 Tennessee?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Memphis, TN

Last updated: 2026-03-24

Memphis, TN Housing at a Glance

217

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

$1,274

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Memphis

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Memphis can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Memphis metro area has 217 affordable housing properties, including 165 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 52 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, Memphis has 4 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 7 Oxford Houses in the Memphis 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 Memphis

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Millcreek Apts	4595 Water Mill Dr, Memphis, TN 38116	LIHTC	448
Cambridge Court Phase I	3357 E Winchester Pl, Memphis, TN 38116	LIHTC	432
Summit Park Apts	1770 Piping Rock Dr, Memphis, TN 38116	LIHTC	402
Serenity Housing	400 S Highland St, Memphis, TN 38111	Section 8	396
Bent Tree Apts	3471 W Briarpark Dr, Memphis, TN 38116	LIHTC	379
Parkway Village Apts	4104 Tarry Park, Memphis, TN 38118	LIHTC	344
Southern Pines Apts	41 W Belz Blvd, Memphis, TN 38109	LIHTC	314
Peppertree Apartments	4243 Graceland Dr, Memphis, TN 38116	Section 8	306
Memphis Towers	1081 Court Ave, Memphis, TN 38104	Section 8	296
Memphis Towers II	1081 Ct Ave, Memphis, TN 38104	LIHTC	296

Oxford Houses in Memphis

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
Celestial HeightsVACANCY	3774 Kearney Ave., Memphis, TN	Women	7	1	(901) 707-8100
DreamscapeVACANCY	2042 Worchester Lane, Memphis, TN	Women	7	5	(901) 779-2875
Grind City	2357 2359 Forrest Ave, Memphis, TN	Men	6	0	(901) 425-4600
HollywoodVACANCY	381 N. Hollywood, Memphis, TN	Women	6	2	(901) 654-3861
Kallos	86 South Greer St., Memphis, TN	Women	8	0	(901) 623-7181
New Bluff CityVACANCY	4980 Robindale Ln, Memphis, TN	Men	9	2	(901) 707-7104
RoyaleVACANCY	3550 Merritt St, Memphis, TN	Men	6	1	(901) 509-8316

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

Dismas Charities, Inc. — Memphis, TN · 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.

OPERATION HOPE - MEMPHIS TN - RAINES RD

1222 E Raines Rd, Memphis, TN

901-273-4547lester.watt@operationhope.orgwebsite

Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

OPERATION HOPE - MEMPH TN - POPLAR AV

6815 Poplar Ave Ste 100, Memphis, TN

404-996-5983nicole.mcgaha@operationhope.orgwebsite

Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - MEMPHIS, TN

2400 Poplar Ave. Suite 500, MEMPHIS, TN

901-348-0115service@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

FRAYSER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

3684 N Watkins St, Memphis, TN

901-354-9401website

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

Fair Market Rent — Memphis Metro Area

HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Memphis is:

$1,274/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 Memphis?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Memphis has 217 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 Memphis?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Memphis do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Tennessee 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 Memphis?: The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Memphis metro area is $1,274/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 Memphis?: Yes. There are 7 Oxford Houses in the Memphis 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. Memphis has 4 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 Tennessee?: 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 Memphis 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 Nashville, TN
ExpungementTennessee expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Tennessee
Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Tennessee
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Tennessee
ProbationProbation & parole in Tennessee

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

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.