How do I find second chance apartments in Mesa?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Mesa has 41 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 Mesa?

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

Rent varies widely in Mesa. 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 Mesa?

Yes. There are 9 Oxford Houses in the Mesa 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. Mesa has 0 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 Arizona?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Mesa, AZ

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Mesa, AZ Housing at a Glance

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Mesa

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Mesa can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Mesa metro area has 41 affordable housing properties, including 30 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 11 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, Mesa has 0 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 9 Oxford Houses in the Mesa 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 Mesa

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
San Angelin Apts	1935 S Sunnyvale, Mesa, AZ 85206	LIHTC	312
San Miguel Apts	8915 E Guadalupe Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212	LIHTC	300
Village At Sun Valley	7520 E Billings St, Mesa, AZ 85207	LIHTC	276
Western Ib Groves	2990 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212	LIHTC	267
San Fernando Apts	4150 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85205	LIHTC	265
Discovery Point Retirement Apts	6210 E Arbor Ave, Mesa, AZ 85206	LIHTC	183
Tierra Antigua	339 N 75th St, Mesa, AZ 85207	LIHTC	174
Centennial Village	130 W Brown Rd, Mesa, AZ 85201	Section 8	153
Temple Square Townhomes	324 S Horne, Mesa, AZ 85204	LIHTC	152
Mesa Park Apts	604 W Eighth Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210	LIHTC	140

Oxford Houses in Mesa

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
ArizonaVACANCY	423 N. Date , Mesa, AZ	Men	12	1	(480) 382-4374
Desert Breeze	664 N Glenview , Mesa, AZ	Men	9	0	(480) 553-7721
MesaVACANCY	835 N Spur Circle, Mesa, AZ	Men	10	4	(480) 307-6436
Meseto	708 W Meseto Cir, Mesa, AZ	Women w/ Children	10	0	(480) 590-8181
Safe Harbor	1842 N Kachina , Mesa, AZ	Men	12	0	(480) 247-7410
SundanceVACANCY	5028 E. Dartmouth St., Mesa, AZ	Women	9	2	(480) 572-1997
Valencia ParkVACANCY	5012 E Downing St. , Mesa, AZ	Women	10	3	(480) 597-3626
Villa RocaVACANCY	2865 E Fox St, Mesa, AZ	Men	10	1	(480) 590-2207
WyldeVACANCY	3848 E Pueblo Ave, Mesa, AZ	Women	9	1	(480) 830-9123

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 Mesa?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Mesa has 41 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 Mesa?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Mesa do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Arizona 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 Mesa?: Rent varies widely in Mesa. 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 Mesa?: Yes. There are 9 Oxford Houses in the Mesa 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. Mesa has 0 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 Arizona?: 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 Mesa Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

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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.