Second Chance Apartments in Richmond, VA
Last updated:
Richmond, VA Housing at a Glance
148
Affordable Properties
14
Oxford Houses
$1,655
FMR 2BR Rent
4
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Richmond
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Richmond can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Richmond metro area has 148 affordable housing properties, including 123 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 25 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, Richmond 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 14 Oxford Houses in the Richmond 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 Richmond
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakhurst Manor | 5804 Thorndale Ln, Richmond, VA 23225 | LIHTC | 392 |
| Lincoln Manor | 4101 N Ave, Richmond, VA 23222 | LIHTC | 300 |
| Church Hill/fairmount House | 1501 N 21st St, Richmond, VA 23223 | LIHTC | 297 |
| Church Hill | 1501 N. 21st St, Richmond, VA 23223 | Section 8 | 296 |
| Glenwood Farms | 3753 Bolling Rd, Richmond, VA 23223 | LIHTC | 294 |
| Village At The Arbors | 5613 Crenshaw Rd, Richmond, VA 23227 | LIHTC | 292 |
| Quarter Mill | 3020 Quarter Creek Ln, Richmond, VA 23294 | LIHTC | 266 |
| North Court Apts | 3403 Chamberlayne Ave, Richmond, VA 23227 | LIHTC | 266 |
| Richfield Place | 5810 Billingsly Ct, Richmond, VA 23227 | LIHTC | 266 |
| Ashley Oaks Apartments | 1402 Jennie Scher Road, Richmond, VA 23231 | Section 8 | 250 |
Oxford Houses in Richmond
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
| Name | Address | Gender | Beds | Vacancies | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookland ParkVACANCY | 3010 Barton Ave, Richmond, VA | Men | 9 | 1 | (276) 468-9066 |
| ChimborazoVACANCY | 3701 Crestview Rd, Richmond, VA | Women w/ Children | 13 | 7 | (804) 728-3663 |
| Clay Street | 719 1/2 West Clay Street, Richmond, VA | Men | 7 | 0 | (804) 225-1868 |
| CrescendoVACANCY | 3128 Cliff Ave, Richmond, VA | Men | 9 | 2 | (804) 716-8197 |
| Dark StarVACANCY | 2214 5th Avenue, Richmond, VA | Men | 8 | 3 | (804) 857-2060 |
| EdgehillVACANCY | 2504 Brook Road, Richmond, VA | Women | 7 | 2 | (804) 303-0555 |
| EilianaVACANCY | 2400 Boyle Ave., Richmond, VA | Women | 7 | 2 | (804) 401-8905 |
| HarlowVACANCY | 2305 Reed Road, Richmond, VA | Women w/ Children | 7 | 3 | (804) 716-0597 |
| KaivianVACANCY | 2719 Chamberlayne Ave, Richmond, VA | Men | 9 | 1 | |
| Lunaria | 1710 Monteiro Ave., Richmond, VA | Women w/ Children | 8 | 0 | |
| Pollard Park IiVACANCY | 2914 Edgewood Avenue, Richmond, VA | Women w/ Children | 8 | 2 | (804) 918-1277 |
| Serenity PathVACANCY | 3019 North Avenue, Richmond, VA | Men | 9 | 7 | (804) 709-1676 |
| Tempest | 3501 Enslow Ave., Richmond, VA | Men | 7 | 0 | (804) 414-6160 |
| Tuckahoe | 5801 Westbourne Ave, Richmond, VA | Men | 9 | 0 | (804) 857-2195 |
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - RICHMOND, VA
1600 Brook Rd Ste C, Richmond, VA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES MADE EQUAL OF VIRGINIA, INCORPORATED
1601 Rolling Hills Dr Rm 110, Richmond, VA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
COMMONWEALTH CATHOLIC CHARITIES, RICHMOND,VA
1601 Rolling Hills Dr, Richmond, VA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
Fair Market Rent — Richmond Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Richmond is:
$1,655/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 Richmond?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Richmond has 148 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 Richmond?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Richmond do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Virginia 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 Richmond?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Richmond metro area is $1,655/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 Richmond?
- Yes. There are 14 Oxford Houses in the Richmond 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. Richmond 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 Virginia?
- 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 Richmond 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
- ExpungementVirginia expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Virginia
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Virginia
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Virginia
- ProbationProbation & parole in Virginia
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