How do I find second chance apartments in Pittsburgh?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Pittsburgh has 202 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 Pittsburgh?

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

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Pittsburgh metro area is $1,299/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 Pittsburgh?

Yes. There are 2 Oxford Houses in the Pittsburgh 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. Pittsburgh has 4 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 Pennsylvania?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Pittsburgh, PA

Last updated: 2026-03-24

Pittsburgh, PA Housing at a Glance

202

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

$1,299

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Pittsburgh

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Pittsburgh can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Pittsburgh metro area has 202 affordable housing properties, including 134 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 68 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, Pittsburgh has 4 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 2 Oxford Houses in the Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Wood Street Commons	300 Wood St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222	LIHTC	270
Glen Hazel Heights & Bernice Crawley	945 Roselle Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15207	Section 8	225
Crafton Heights Townhomes A/k/a Mountainview Apts	1671-1681 Crucible Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15205	Section 8	221
Crawford Roberts Redev	, Pittsburgh, PA	LIHTC	203
Allequippa Terrace Phase 1a	, Pittsburgh, PA 15221	LIHTC	201
Three Rivers Manor	125 Rhine Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15212	Section 8	198
The Roosevelt Building	607 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222	Section 8	191
Riverview Phase II	52 Garetta St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217	Section 8	191
K. Leroy Irvis Towers	715 Mercer St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219	Section 8	190
Addison Terrace Ph 1	2136 Elmore St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219	LIHTC	186

Oxford Houses in Pittsburgh

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
PicardVACANCY	2100 Hazeldell Street, Pittsburgh, PA	Men	8	4	(412) 886-5383
SariaVACANCY	1094 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA	Women	8	2	(304) 989-2532

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

Renewal, Inc. — Pittsburgh, PA · 412-690-2445
Renewal, Inc. — Pittsburgh, PA · 412-690-2445

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

WILLISSAE'S AGENCY FOR VISION AND EMPOWERMENT (WAVE)

7171 Churchland St, Pittsburgh, PA

412-573-9217info@waveoflife.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling

URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER PITTSBURGH

332 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA

412-227-4163website

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

CREDIT.ORG - PITTSBURGH, PA BRANCH

322 N Shore Dr, Pittsburgh, PA

412-790-5697info@credit.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling

ADVANTAGE CREDIT COUNSELING SERVICE

2403 Sidney St Ste 250, Pittsburgh, PA

888-511-2227hmurray@advantageccs.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling

Fair Market Rent — Pittsburgh Metro Area

HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Pittsburgh is:

$1,299/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 Pittsburgh?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Pittsburgh has 202 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 Pittsburgh?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Pittsburgh do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh?: The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Pittsburgh metro area is $1,299/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 Pittsburgh?: Yes. There are 2 Oxford Houses in the Pittsburgh 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. Pittsburgh has 4 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 Pennsylvania?: 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 Pittsburgh 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 Philadelphia, PA
ExpungementPennsylvania expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Pennsylvania
Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Pennsylvania
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Pennsylvania
ProbationProbation & parole in Pennsylvania

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

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.