How do I find second chance apartments in Oakland?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Oakland has 171 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 Oakland?

Not necessarily. Many landlords in Oakland 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 is the average rent in Oakland?

Rent varies widely in Oakland. 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 Oakland?

While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Oakland, there are other sober living options. 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, buying, default/foreclosure prevention, and credit repair. Oakland has 5 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 California?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Oakland, CA

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Oakland, CA Housing at a Glance

171

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Oakland

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Oakland can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Oakland metro area has 171 affordable housing properties, including 123 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 48 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, Oakland has 5 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 Oakland

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Uptown Apts	500 William St, Oakland, CA 94612	LIHTC	665
Satellite First Communities	4135 Park Blvd, Oakland, CA 94602	LIHTC	346
Hotel Oakland	270 Thirteenth St, Oakland, CA 94612	Section 8	315
Piedmont Apts (oakland)	215 W Macarthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611	LIHTC	250
City Towers Apartments	1065 8th St, Oakland, CA 94607	Section 8	231
City Towers	1065 Eighth St, Oakland, CA 94607	LIHTC	231
Claridge Hotel	634 15th St, Oakland, CA 94612	LIHTC	202
Keller Plaza	5321 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609	Section 8	201
Northgate Terrace	550 24th St, Oakland, CA 94612	Section 8	201
Keller Plaza Apts	5321 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94609	LIHTC	201

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.

GEO Reentry, Inc. — Oakland, CA · 561-893-0101

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) - 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

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 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 Oakland?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Oakland has 171 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 Oakland?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Oakland 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 is the average rent in Oakland?: Rent varies widely in Oakland. 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 Oakland?: While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Oakland, there are other sober living options. 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, buying, default/foreclosure prevention, and credit repair. Oakland has 5 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 California?: 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 Oakland 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 Los Angeles, CA
ExpungementCalifornia expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in California
Gun RightsFelon gun rights in California
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in California
ProbationProbation & parole in California
SR22 InsuranceSR22 insurance in California
License ReinstatementLicense reinstatement in California

Helpful guides

RightsCan a felon get a passport?
RecoveryOnline recovery meetings
Banking & CreditSecond chance bank accounts
EducationTrade schools for felons

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.