How do I find second chance apartments in Sacramento?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Sacramento has 150 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 Sacramento?

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

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Sacramento metro area is $2,255/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 Sacramento?

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

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

Second Chance Apartments in Sacramento, CA

Last updated: 2026-03-24

Sacramento, CA Housing at a Glance

150

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

$2,255

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Sacramento

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Sacramento can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Sacramento metro area has 150 affordable housing properties, including 131 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, Sacramento 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.

Largest Affordable Housing Properties in Sacramento

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Logan Park Apts	4241 Palm Ave, Sacramento, CA 95842	LIHTC	661
Greenfair Apts	701 Fairgrounds Dr, Sacramento, CA 95817	LIHTC	387
Point Natomas Apts	801 San Juan Rd, Sacramento, CA 95834	LIHTC	337
Kensington Apartments	3644 Kings Way, Sacramento, CA 95821	LIHTC	301
Ashford Heights Apts	7473 Holworthy Way, Sacramento, CA 95842	LIHTC	300
Sienna Vista	4901 Little Oak Ln, Sacramento, CA 95841	LIHTC	296
Creekside Village Senior Apts	6465 Village Ctr Dr, Sacramento, CA 95823	LIHTC	296
Countrywood Village Apts	5500 Mack Rd, Sacramento, CA 95823	LIHTC	292
Florin Meadows Apts	7301 29th St, Sacramento, CA 95822	LIHTC	244
Hastings Park Apts	4635 Antelope Rd, Sacramento, CA 95843	LIHTC	242

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

GEO Care, LLC — Sacramento, CA · 561-999-8132

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

THE GREATER SACRAMENTO URBAN LEAGUE

3725 Marysville Blvd, Sacramento, CA

916-286-8652website

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

NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - SACRAMENTO, CA

3336 Bradshaw Rd Ste 100, Sacramento, CA

425-892-6222-1385service@naca.comwebsite

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

NEIGHBORWORKS HOMEOWNERSHIP CENTER SACRAMENTO REGION

2411 Alhambra Blvd, Sacramento, CA

916-452-5356counseling@nwsac.orgwebsite

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, Reverse Mortgage Counseling

GREATER SACRAMENTO URBAN LEAGUE-OAK PARK

2331 Alhambra Blvd, Sacramento, CA

916-286-8652housing@gsul.orgwebsite

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

Fair Market Rent — Sacramento Metro Area

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

$2,255/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 Sacramento?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Sacramento has 150 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 Sacramento?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Sacramento do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. California 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 Sacramento?: The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Sacramento metro area is $2,255/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 Sacramento?: While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Sacramento, there are other sober living options. Contact local recovery organizations, the California 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. Sacramento 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 California?: 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 Sacramento 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 Los Angeles, CA
ExpungementCalifornia expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in California
Gun RightsFelon gun rights in California
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in California
ProbationProbation & parole in California

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.