How do I find second chance apartments in Providence?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Providence has 126 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 Providence?

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

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Providence metro area is $1,729/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 Providence?

While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Providence, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the Rhode Island 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. Providence 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 Rhode Island?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Providence, RI

Last updated: 2026-03-24

Providence, RI Housing at a Glance

126

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

$1,729

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Providence

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Providence can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Providence metro area has 126 affordable housing properties, including 78 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, Providence 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.

Largest Affordable Housing Properties in Providence

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Lockwood Plaza	60 Prairie Ave, Providence, RI 2905	LIHTC	208
Charles Place	460 Charles Street, Providence, RI 02904	Section 8	200
Barbara Jordan Apts I	444 Public Street, Providence, RI 02907	Section 8	193
Barbara Jordan I	Baxter St, Providence, RI 2905	LIHTC	193
Travelers Aid Housing	160 Broad St, Providence, RI 2903	LIHTC	192
Charlesgate North Affordable Housing	670 N Main St, Providence, RI 2904	LIHTC	182
Summer Street Apartments	94 Summer Street, Providence, RI 02903	Section 8	176
University Heights II	24 Thomas Olney Cmn, Providence, RI 2904	LIHTC	168
Epn Apts	116 Evergreen St, Providence, RI 02906	Section 8	165
Epn	54 Scattered Sites Throughout Providence, Providence, RI 2905	LIHTC	164

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

WEST ELMWOOD HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

224 Dexter St, Providence, RI

401-453-3220website

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

RHODE ISLAND HOUSING HELP CENTER

44 Washington St, Providence, RI

401-457-1000thebert@rihousing.comwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling

PROVIDENCE HOUSING AUTHORITY

50 Laurel Hill Ave, Providence, RI

401-751-6400website

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

Fair Market Rent — Providence Metro Area

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

$1,729/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 Providence?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Providence has 126 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 Providence?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Providence do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Rhode Island 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 Providence?: The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Providence metro area is $1,729/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 Providence?: While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Providence, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the Rhode Island 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. Providence 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 Rhode Island?: 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 Providence 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

ExpungementRhode Island expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Rhode Island
Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Rhode Island
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Rhode Island
ProbationProbation & parole in Rhode Island

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.