Second Chance Apartments in Nashville, TN
Last updated:
Nashville, TN Housing at a Glance
159
Affordable Properties
16
Oxford Houses
$1,730
FMR 2BR Rent
10
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Nashville
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Nashville can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Nashville metro area has 159 affordable housing properties, including 159 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 0 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, Nashville 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.
For those in recovery, there are 16 Oxford Houses in the Nashville 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 Nashville
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whispering Oaks | 279 Tanglewood Ct, Nashville, TN 37211 | LIHTC | 482 |
| Trevecca Towers I/east | 60 Lester Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210 | LIHTC | 354 |
| Park At Hillside | 910 Hillside Ave, Nashville, TN | LIHTC | 290 |
| Village West | 4606 Tennessee Ave, Nashville, TN 37209 | LIHTC | 288 |
| Fallbrook Apts | 237 256 Dellway Villa Rd, Nashville, TN | LIHTC | 244 |
| The Paddock At Grandview | 230 W. Trinity Lane, Nashville, TN 11111 | LIHTC | 240 |
| Levy Place | 303 Foster St., Nashville, TN 37207 | LIHTC | 226 |
| Old Hickory Towers | 930 Industrial Road, Nashville, TN 37138 | LIHTC | 216 |
| Riverchase Apts | 683 Joseph Ave, Nashville, TN 37207 | LIHTC | 212 |
| Cumberland Pointe Apts | 2400 Buena Vista Pike, Nashville, TN 37218 | LIHTC | 200 |
Oxford Houses in Nashville
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Dismas Charities, Inc. — Nashville, 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.
WOODBINE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
WILLIAM FRANKLIN BUCHANAN CDC
4124 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, TN
Services: Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
TENNESSEE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AGENCY - DIRECT COUNSELING
502 Deaderick St, Nashville, TN
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
TENNESSEE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
502 Deaderick Street, NASHVILLE, TN
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop
OPERATION HOPE- NASHVILLE MSO BRANCH
2013 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
OPERATION HOPE- NASHVILLE BRANCH - FIRST BANK
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NEW LEVEL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
1112 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
GREENPATH FINANCIAL WELLNESS
89 Hermitage Ave, Nashville, TN
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Homeless Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling
AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESOURCES OF NASHVILLE, INC
1 Vantage Way Ste C130, Nashville, TN
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
AAA RESIDENTIAL RESOURCES, INC.
604 Gallatin Ave Ste 103, Nashville, TN
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, 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, Rental Housing Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
Fair Market Rent — Nashville Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Nashville is:
$1,730/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 Nashville?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Nashville has 159 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 Nashville?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Nashville 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 Nashville?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Nashville metro area is $1,730/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 Nashville?
- Yes. There are 16 Oxford Houses in the Nashville 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. Nashville 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 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 Nashville 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 Memphis, 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