Second Chance Apartments in New Orleans, LA
Last updated:
New Orleans, LA Housing at a Glance
182
Affordable Properties
13
Oxford Houses
$1,331
FMR 2BR Rent
6
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in New Orleans
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in New Orleans can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The New Orleans metro area has 182 affordable housing properties, including 164 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 18 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, New Orleans has 6 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 13 Oxford Houses in the New Orleans 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 New Orleans
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakbrook Village | 8500 I 10 Service Rd, New Orleans, LA 70127 | LIHTC | 521 |
| St Bernard I | 1400 Milton Street, New Orleans, LA 70122 | LIHTC | 466 |
| Cj Peete III | 3320 Clara Street, New Orleans, LA 70115 | LIHTC | 460 |
| Peltier Gardens | 14639 Saigon Dr, New Orleans, LA 70129 | LIHTC | 400 |
| Villages Of Versailles | 14369 Saigon Drive, New Orleans, LA 70129 | LIHTC | 400 |
| Rivergarden Cs II | 530 St. Andrew, New Orleans, LA 70130 | LIHTC | 310 |
| Renaissance Place | 3601 Texas Drive, New Orleans, LA 71030 | LIHTC | 307 |
| River Garden Lgd1 | 913 Felicity Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 | LIHTC | 296 |
| Charelston Oaks | 10301 I 10 Service Rd, New Orleans, LA 70127 | LIHTC | 287 |
| Forest Park Apartments | 3708 Garden Oaks, New Orleans, LA 70114 | LIHTC | 284 |
Oxford Houses in New Orleans
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
| Name | Address | Gender | Beds | Vacancies | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NolaVACANCY | 2815 Mistletoe St, New Orleans, LA | Women | 10 | 1 | (504) 459-2046 |
| Palmer ParkVACANCY | 8316 Sycamore Pl, New Orleans, LA | Men | 9 | 1 | |
| Canal | 5640 Catina St., New Orleans, LA | Men w/ Children | 12 | 0 | (504) 264-7672 |
| ChantillyVACANCY | 2265 Pressburg St, New Orleans, LA | Men | 9 | 1 | |
| ConvocationVACANCY | 8228 Sycamore Place, New Orleans, LA | Men | 10 | 1 | (337) 557-0220 |
| Crescent City DeucesVACANCY | 2608-2610 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans, LA | Men | 8 | 1 | |
| De La MajoriteVACANCY | 2821 Banks St, New Orleans, LA | Women | 10 | 1 | (504) 309-1461 |
| DominicanVACANCY | 3709 Alfred St, New Orleans, LA | Women w/ Children | 9 | 1 | (504) 218-7088 |
| EndymionVACANCY | 2305 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans , LA | Men | 9 | 1 | |
| Krewe | 923 S. Telemachus, New Orleans , LA | Men | 7 | 0 | (504) 354-9403 |
| MirabeauVACANCY | 1954 Mirabeau Ave, New Orleans, LA | Men | 6 | 1 | (504) 224-2897 |
| RemouladeVACANCY | 3718 D’hemecourt St, New Orleans, LA | Men | 8 | 1 | (504) 447-6436 |
| Uptown | 2837 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA | Men | 9 | 0 | (504) 858-5514 |
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - NEW ORLEANS, LA
NEW ORLEANS NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
1429 S Rampart St, New Orleans, LA
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
LOUISIANA FAIR HOUSING ACTION CENTER, INC.
1340 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop
JEFFERSON COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAMS
1221 Elmwood Park Blvd, New Orleans, LA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
FAMILY RESOURCES OF NEW ORLEANS
817 N Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA
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, Rental Housing Workshop
DESIRE COMMUNITY HOUSING CORPORATION
3831 Hamburg St, New Orleans, LA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
Fair Market Rent — New Orleans Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in New Orleans is:
$1,331/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 New Orleans?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — New Orleans has 182 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 New Orleans?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in New Orleans do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Louisiana 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 New Orleans?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the New Orleans metro area is $1,331/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 New Orleans?
- Yes. There are 13 Oxford Houses in the New Orleans 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. New Orleans has 6 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 Louisiana?
- 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 New Orleans 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 Baton Rouge, LA
- ExpungementLouisiana expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Louisiana
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Louisiana
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Louisiana
- ProbationProbation & parole in Louisiana
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