Second Chance Apartments in Newark, NJ
Last updated:
Newark, NJ Housing at a Glance
179
Affordable Properties
0
Oxford Houses
N/A
FMR 2BR Rent
6
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Newark
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Newark can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Newark metro area has 179 affordable housing properties, including 123 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 56 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, Newark 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.
Largest Affordable Housing Properties in Newark
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Spires Apartments | 175-195 1st St, Newark, NJ 7107 | LIHTC | 555 |
| Garden Spires | 175-195 First Street, Newark, NJ 07107 | Section 8 | 550 |
| Essex Plaza I | 1060 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102 | Section 8 | 451 |
| Grace West Manor Apts. | 293 Irvine Turner Blvd, Newark, NJ 07108 | Section 8 | 429 |
| Grace West Manor Apartments | 301 Irvine Turner Blvd, Newark, NJ 7108 | LIHTC | 429 |
| Georgia King Village | 57 Georgia King Village, Newark, NJ 07107 | Section 8 | 422 |
| Georgia King Village | 250 Georgia King Village, Newark, NJ 7107 | LIHTC | 422 |
| Hill Manor Apts | 611 Mlk Jr Blvd, Newark, NJ 7102 | LIHTC | 420 |
| N C Commons | 161-183 Newton St, Newark, NJ 07103 | Section 8 | 372 |
| Nc Commons | 132-148 S. Orange Ave 23-55 14th Ave 228-260 Hunterdon Atreet, Newark, NJ 7103 | LIHTC | 372 |
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Kintock Group, The — Newark, NJ · 610-225-3651
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
URBAN LEAGUE OF ESSEX COUNTY
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
TRI-CITY PEOPLES CORPORATION
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, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - NEWARK, NJ
60 Park Pl Ste 800, Newark, NJ
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NEW JERSEY CITIZEN ACTION
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
LA CASA DE DON PEDRO
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK
Services: Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
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 Newark?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Newark has 179 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 Newark?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Newark do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. New Jersey 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 Newark?
- Rent varies widely in Newark. 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 Newark?
- While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Newark, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the New Jersey substance abuse helpline, or SAMHSA's national helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for referrals to sober living homes in your area.
- 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. Newark 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 New Jersey?
- 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 Newark Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.
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