How do I find second chance apartments in Rochester?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Rochester has 131 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 Rochester?

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

Rent varies widely in Rochester. 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 Rochester?

Yes. There are 1 Oxford Houses in the Rochester 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. Rochester 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 New York?

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

Second Chance Apartments in Rochester, NY

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Rochester, NY Housing at a Glance

131

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Rochester

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Rochester can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Rochester metro area has 131 affordable housing properties, including 112 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 19 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, Rochester 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 1 Oxford Houses in the Rochester 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 Rochester

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Charlotte Lake River Homes	4587 Lake Ave, Rochester, NY 14612	LIHTC	553
Andrews Terrace	91 St Paul St, Rochester, NY 14604	LIHTC	526
Keeler Park Apts	501 Seneca Manor Dr, Rochester, NY 14621	LIHTC	525
Rochester Highlands Apts	380 Westfall Rd, Rochester, NY 14620	LIHTC	504
Tri Veterans Housing	Ramona Park, Rochester, NY	LIHTC	469
Pinnacle Place	919 Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14620	LIHTC	407
185 Mount Hope Ave	185 Mount Hope Ave, Rochester, NY 14620	LIHTC	402
Marietta Assoc	385 N Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14605	LIHTC	256
Urban Park Apts	150 Van Auker St., Rochester, NY 14608	Section 8	254
Urban Park/james A Dobson Apts	150 Van Auker St, Rochester, NY 14608	LIHTC	254

Oxford Houses in Rochester

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

Name	Address	Gender	Beds	Vacancies	Phone
RidgewayVACANCY	446 Ridgeway Avenue, Rochester, NY	Men	9	1

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

Volunteers of America of Western New York, Inc. — Rochester, NY · 585-402-7412

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

URBAN LEAGUE OF ROCHESTER DBA THE HOME STORE

265 N Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY

585-325-6530website

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

THE HOUSING COUNCIL AT PATHSTONE, INC.

75 College Ave, Rochester, NY

585-546-3700website

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

PATHSTONE CORPORATION- NEW YORK

400 East Avenue, ROCHESTER, NY

585-546-3700ssimson@pathstone.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, 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, Rental Housing Workshop

NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - ROCHESTER, NY

550 E Main St, Rochester, NY

703-234-6222service@naca.comwebsite

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

CCCS OF ROCHESTER-HOME OFFICE

1050 University Ave, Rochester, NY

888-724-2227website

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

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 Rochester?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Rochester has 131 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 Rochester?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Rochester do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. New York 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 Rochester?: Rent varies widely in Rochester. 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 Rochester?: Yes. There are 1 Oxford Houses in the Rochester 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. Rochester 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 New York?: 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 Rochester 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 New York, NY
ExpungementNew York expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in New York
Gun RightsFelon gun rights in New York
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in New York
ProbationProbation & parole in New York
SR22 InsuranceSR22 insurance in New York
License ReinstatementLicense reinstatement in New York

Helpful guides

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.