SecondChanceInfo

Second Chance Apartments & Affordable Housing in Oakland, CA

Housing data snapshot: · Program explanations updated

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What this page gives you

  • Every affordable housing property we can find for Oakland in public HUD databases — 171 listings (123 LIHTC, 48 Section 8 / federally assisted), with the 10 largest shown below.
  • Federal reentry centers serving the metro area.
  • 5 HUD-approved agencies that give free or low-cost rental help.

What it cannot tell you

  • Whether any specific property accepts applicants with a criminal record. Screening policies are set by each owner or manager and are not part of the public data — nothing on this page is a confirmed "felon-friendly" property.
  • Current availability, rents, or waitlists — these change constantly. Numbers below come from our 2026-03-25 data pull.

Use this page to build a call list, then use the questions below before you pay any application fee.

Oakland, CA Housing at a Glance

171

Affordable listings (HUD databases)

0

Oxford Houses (sober living)

—

HUD 2BR FMR (FY2025 snapshot)

5

HUD counseling agencies

Map is an independent Google search of the area — not a map of the listings on this page, and its pins may include businesses we don’t list. The listings on this page span the greater metro area including nearby towns; each listing’s address line shows the town it is actually in.

External Google Maps search of the Oaklandarea — not a map of the listings in this page's data. Use the lists below for actual addresses.

Finding Housing in Oakland with a Criminal Record

The Oakland metro area has 171 affordable housing properties in public HUD databases, including 123 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 48 Section 8 / federally assisted properties. Each one sets its own tenant screening policy — criminal-history rules are not published in the databases, so the honest status for every property below is unknown until you call.

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 set their own policies too and tend to be more flexible than large corporate management companies.

If you need help navigating the process, Oakland has 5 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies that provide free or low-cost assistance with rental applications, understanding your rights, and budget/credit issues. Their contact info is listed below.

Before you pay any application fee, ask

  • 1.What is your criminal-history screening policy, and which convictions or time frames does it look at?
  • 2.What are the total move-in costs — deposit, application fee, admin fee — and is any of it refundable?
  • 3.Is there a waitlist? How long is it currently?
  • 4.What income proof and references do you need (pay stubs, offer letter, parole officer, past landlords)?

A refusal to answer screening questions, or a deposit demanded before you've seen a unit, are red flags — walk away.

Affordable Housing Directory — Largest Oakland Properties

The 10 largest of 171 properties in public HUD databases, by unit count. This is a directory of subsidized housing, not a list of confirmed second-chance rentals — each property's background screening policy is set by its owner or manager and is not in the public data. Call and ask.

What the type labels mean: LIHTC — tax-credit building; income limits apply, rents are capped by program rules tied to area median income (not 30% of your income). Section 8 — an assisted-property record, which does not establish availability or acceptance of a tenant-based voucher. Ask which subsidy applies to the unit and who calculates the rent.

PropertyAddressTypeUnits
Uptown Apts500 William St, Oakland, CA 94612LIHTC665
Satellite First Communities4135 Park Blvd, Oakland, CA 94602LIHTC346
Hotel Oakland270 Thirteenth St, Oakland, CA 94612Section 8315
Piedmont Apts (oakland)215 W Macarthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611LIHTC250
City Towers Apartments1065 8th St, Oakland, CA 94607Section 8231
City Towers1065 Eighth St, Oakland, CA 94607LIHTC231
Claridge Hotel634 15th St, Oakland, CA 94612LIHTC202
Keller Plaza5321 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609Section 8201
Northgate Terrace550 24th St, Oakland, CA 94612Section 8201
Keller Plaza Apts5321 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609LIHTC201

Federal Reentry Centers (BOP Residential Reentry Centers)

BOP-contracted facilities that house people finishing federal sentences in the community phase. Placement is arranged by the Federal Bureau of Prisons as part of a sentence plan — these are not walk-in facilities and you cannot apply to them directly. If you or someone you know is in BOP custody, ask the case manager about RRC placement timing.

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

Free or low-cost housing counseling: rental applications, tenant rights, budget/credit help, and foreclosure prevention. Listings come from HUD's counseling agency dataset.

NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - OAKLAND, CA

3801-3805 Broadway, OAKLAND, CA

510-652-6622website

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

NID-HCA OAKLAND MAIN BRANCH

7677 Oakport St Ste 510, Oakland, CA

510-268-9792OlgaTovar@nidhousing.comwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, 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

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS-INVESTMENT DIVISION, INC

7677 OakPort Street, Suite 1030, 10th Fl, OAKLAND, CA

510-268-9792latishacarlisle@nidhousing.comwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, 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, Reverse Mortgage Counseling

MONEY MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL - OAKLAND

1901 Harrison St Ste 1100, Oakland, CA

866-232-9080counselinginfo@moneymanagement.orgwebsite

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

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY EAST BAY/SILICON VALLEY

2619 Broadway, Oakland, CA

669-758-4869jdena@habitatebsv.orgwebsite

Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

Tips for Finding Housing with a Record

  • 1.Call properties directly before applying. Ask the manager about their screening criteria for criminal records — this saves you time and application fees.
  • 2.Compare written screening criteria from private landlords and larger complexes instead of assuming one type will be more flexible.
  • 3.Prepare a "rental resume" with references from employers, parole/probation officers, past landlords, or community organizations that can vouch for you.
  • 4.Ask for all move-in costs in writing and check local deposit/prepayment limits before agreeing to extra money upfront.
  • 5.LIHTC (tax credit) buildings have income limits and set rents — ask about their background screening when you call, since it varies by owner.
  • 6.Contact HUD-approved housing counseling agencies for free help with rental applications and understanding your rights.
  • 7.Answer required application questions accurately. Ask legal aid how sealed, expunged or legally restricted records should be handled; disclosure and termination rules depend on the jurisdiction and facts.
  • 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 Oakland?
Use the affordable housing list below to build a call list. Oakland has 171 affordable housing properties in public HUD databases (123 LIHTC tax-credit properties and 48 Section 8 / federally assisted properties). Criminal-record screening policies are set by each property's owner or manager and are not published in these databases — so treat every listing as "unknown until you call." Ask about their background criteria before paying an application fee. Private landlords and smaller complexes set their own policies too and can be worth asking.
Will a felony disqualify me from renting in Oakland?
Not automatically. Many landlords do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. California 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 does the stored rent benchmark tell me about Oakland?
A rent benchmark is not available in our Oakland data. Ask the local PHA for its applicable payment standard and check HUD's current FMR lookup. The PHA calculates your total tenant payment using HUD income rules. For ordinary tenant-based vouchers, assistance is based on the lower of gross rent or the applicable payment standard, minus that payment. Gross rent includes the PHA utility allowance. Your actual rent to the landlord can differ from your family share. LIHTC rents use program limits tied to area income and unit size; they are not automatically 30% of your own income.
Are there sober living homes in Oakland?
No Oxford Houses are currently listed in our Oakland data, but other sober living options may exist. Contact local recovery organizations, the California 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, rental applications, default/foreclosure prevention, and credit repair. Oakland has 5 HUD-approved agencies. They can help you understand your rights and prepare a stronger rental application — useful when you have a record. Find them in the list below, or search HUD's own locator at hud.gov/counseling.
Can I get Section 8 housing with a criminal record in California?
A criminal record does not by itself answer whether you qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher. Federal rules require denial in specified circumstances, including lifetime sex-offender registration, methamphetamine production on federally assisted premises, certain current drug activity and some recent drug-related evictions from assisted housing (with specified exceptions). PHAs also apply discretionary screening rules. Ask the PHA for its current written policy and any review procedure; these are not the same as a private landlord's screening rules. Contact the PHA serving Oakland for its application and waitlist process.

Related Resources on This Site

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Helpful guides

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.

Sources & Data