Second Chance Apartments in Miami, FL
Last updated:
Miami, FL Housing at a Glance
198
Affordable Properties
3
Oxford Houses
$2,436
FMR 2BR Rent
4
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Miami
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Miami can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Miami metro area has 198 affordable housing properties, including 174 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 24 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, Miami 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 3 Oxford Houses in the Miami 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 Miami
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Place By The Bay | 915 Nw First Ave, Miami, FL 33136 | LIHTC | 463 |
| New Arena Square | 1023 Nw Third Ave, Miami, FL 33136 | LIHTC | 419 |
| Siesta Pointe | 5800 Nw 186th Street, Miami, FL 33015 | LIHTC | 392 |
| Miami Stadium I | 2301 Nw Tenth Ave, Miami, FL 33127 | LIHTC | 336 |
| Hamlet At Walden Pond | 20855 N.w. 9th Court, Miami, FL 33169 | LIHTC | 312 |
| Kings Terrace | 12555 Nw 27th Ave, Miami, FL 33167 | LIHTC | 300 |
| Palm Lake | 2575 Nw 115th St, Miami, FL 33167 | LIHTC | 300 |
| Villas Del Lago | 21300 Nw 14th Pl, Miami, FL 33169 | LIHTC | 288 |
| Cedar Grove | 20601 N.w. 17th Ave., Miami, FL 33056 | LIHTC | 288 |
| Golden Lakes | 1200 Northwest 155th Lane, Miami, FL 33169 | LIHTC | 280 |
Oxford Houses in Miami
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
| Name | Address | Gender | Beds | Vacancies | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AckeeVACANCY | 19010 Nw 7th Ave., Miami, FL | Men | 10 | 3 | (305) 749-6007 |
| Coconut BayVACANCY | 937 Ne 171st St, Miami, FL | Men | 12 | 3 | (305) 816-6204 |
| IguanaVACANCY | 15610 Nw 2nd Court, Miami , FL | Men | 10 | 3 | (305) 974-2415 |
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Banyan Community Health Center, Inc., dba, Banyan Health Systems, Inc. — Miami, FL · 305-398-6127
- Riverside Christian Ministries, Inc.; DBA Riverside House — Miami, FL · 305-326-9799
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
TRINITY EMPOWERMENT CONSORTIUM, INC.
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Services: 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
LITTLE HAITI HOUSING ASSOCIATION, INC.
Services: Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
CUBAN AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL, INC. - MIAMI
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
Fair Market Rent — Miami Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Miami is:
$2,436/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 Miami?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Miami has 198 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 Miami?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Miami do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Florida 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 Miami?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Miami metro area is $2,436/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 Miami?
- Yes. There are 3 Oxford Houses in the Miami 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. Miami 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 Florida?
- 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 Miami 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 Tampa, FL
- ExpungementFlorida expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Florida
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Florida
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Florida
- ProbationProbation & parole in Florida
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