Second Chance Apartments in Portland, OR
Last updated:
Portland, OR Housing at a Glance
292
Affordable Properties
43
Oxford Houses
$1,922
FMR 2BR Rent
5
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Portland
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Portland can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Portland metro area has 292 affordable housing properties, including 245 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 47 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, Portland 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.
For those in recovery, there are 43 Oxford Houses in the Portland 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 Portland
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85 Stories Group II | 4400 Ne Broadway St, Portland, OR 97213 | LIHTC | 396 |
| Columbia Knoll | 8320 Ne Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97220 | LIHTC | 326 |
| Yards At Union Station II | 945 Nw Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97209 | LIHTC | 321 |
| West Ridge Meadows Apts | 18464 Nw Chemeketa Ln, Portland, OR 97229 | LIHTC | 276 |
| Rose City Village Apts | 1610 Ne 66th Ave, Portland, OR 97213 | LIHTC | 264 |
| 85 Stories Group I | 2140 Nw Kearney St, Portland, OR 97210 | LIHTC | 259 |
| New Columbia Trouton | 9126 N Woolsey Ave, Portland, OR 97203 | LIHTC | 250 |
| Rose Schnitzer Tower | 1430 Sw 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97201 | LIHTC | 235 |
| Tualatin View Apts I | 18480 Sw Boones Ferry Rd, Portland, OR 97224 | LIHTC | 210 |
| Sitka Apts | 1115 Nw Northrup St, Portland, OR 97209 | LIHTC | 209 |
Oxford Houses in Portland
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Northwest Regional Reentry Center, Inc. — Portland, OR · 503-546-0472
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
PORTLAND HOUSING CENTER
3233 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
PORTLAND COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT INITIATIVES, INC
6329 NE Mlk Jr Blvd, Portland, OR
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling
NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH AND FAMILY CENTER
5135 NE Columbia Blvd, Portland, OR
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
HACIENDA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
6700 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
AFRICAN AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP, INC.
825 NE 20th Ave Ste 100, Portland, OR
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
Fair Market Rent — Portland Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Portland is:
$1,922/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 Portland?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Portland has 292 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 Portland?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Portland do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Oregon 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 Portland?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Portland metro area is $1,922/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 Portland?
- Yes. There are 43 Oxford Houses in the Portland 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. Portland 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 Oregon?
- 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 Portland 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
- ExpungementOregon expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Oregon
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Oregon
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Oregon
- ProbationProbation & parole in Oregon
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