How do I find second chance apartments in Newport News?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Newport News has 70 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 Newport News?

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

Rent varies widely in Newport News. 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 Newport News?

Yes. There are 1 Oxford Houses in the Newport News 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. Newport News has 3 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 Virginia?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Newport News, VA

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Newport News, VA Housing at a Glance

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Newport News

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Newport News can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Newport News metro area has 70 affordable housing properties, including 51 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 19 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, Newport News has 3 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 1 Oxford Houses in the Newport News 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 Newport News

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Berkley West & Berkley Village	900 Daphia Circle, Newport News, VA 23601	Section 8	373
Berkley	900 Daphia Circle, Newport News, VA 23601	LIHTC	373
Pinedale Manor	761 Adams Dr, Newport News, VA 23601	LIHTC	296
Autumn Lakes	880 Hidden Glen Ct, Newport News, VA 23608	LIHTC	296
Mariners Landing	494 Crossings Ct, Newport News, VA 23608	LIHTC	274
Woodview	432 Manor Rd, Newport News, VA 23608	LIHTC	240
Stuart Gardens I	1326c Garden Drive, Newport News, VA 23607	Section 8	239
Stuart Gardens II	1328-1338 Garden Drive, Newport News, VA 23607	Section 8	239
Waverton Place At Ashton Green	205 Crane Cir, Newport News, VA 23608	LIHTC	228
Seven Oaks Townhouses	731 36th St, Newport News, VA 23607	LIHTC	220

Oxford Houses in Newport News

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
Rescue	7 Darlene Lane, Newport News, VA	Men	11	0	(757) 603-4180

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.

HAMPTON ROADS COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, INC.

2410 Wickham Ave, Newport News, VA

757-247-0379website

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling

COMMONWEALTH CATHOLIC CHARITIES

740 Thimble Shoals Blvd, Newport News, VA

804-285-5986hfcsupport@cccofva.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF EASTERN VIRGINIA

12829 Jefferson Ave Ste 101, Newport News, VA

757-875-0060vdunlap@cceva.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling

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 Newport News?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Newport News has 70 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 Newport News?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Newport News do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Virginia 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 Newport News?: Rent varies widely in Newport News. 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 Newport News?: Yes. There are 1 Oxford Houses in the Newport News 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. Newport News has 3 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 Virginia?: 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 Newport News Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Related Resources on This Site

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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.