Second Chance Apartments & Affordable Housing in Saint Paul, MN
Housing data snapshot: · Program explanations updated
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What this page gives you
- Every affordable housing property we can find for Saint Paul in public HUD databases — 134 listings (95 LIHTC, 39 Section 8 / federally assisted), with the 10 largest shown below.
- 7 HUD-approved agencies that give free or low-cost rental help.
What it cannot tell you
- Whether any specific property accepts applicants with a criminal record. Screening policies are set by each owner or manager and are not part of the public data — nothing on this page is a confirmed "felon-friendly" property.
- Current availability, rents, or waitlists — these change constantly. Numbers below come from our 2026-03-25 data pull.
Use this page to build a call list, then use the questions below before you pay any application fee.
Saint Paul, MN Housing at a Glance
134
Affordable listings (HUD databases)
0
Oxford Houses (sober living)
—
HUD 2BR FMR (FY2025 snapshot)
7
HUD counseling agencies
Map is an independent Google search of the area — not a map of the listings on this page, and its pins may include businesses we don’t list. The listings on this page span the greater metro area including nearby towns; each listing’s address line shows the town it is actually in.
External Google Maps search of the Saint Paularea — not a map of the listings in this page's data. Use the lists below for actual addresses.
Finding Housing in Saint Paul with a Criminal Record
The Saint Paul metro area has 134 affordable housing properties in public HUD databases, including 95 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 39 Section 8 / federally assisted properties. Each one sets its own tenant screening policy — criminal-history rules are not published in the databases, so the honest status for every property below is unknown until you call.
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 set their own policies too and tend to be more flexible than large corporate management companies.
If you need help navigating the process, Saint Paul has 7 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies that provide free or low-cost assistance with rental applications, understanding your rights, and budget/credit issues. Their contact info is listed below.
Before you pay any application fee, ask
- 1.What is your criminal-history screening policy, and which convictions or time frames does it look at?
- 2.What are the total move-in costs — deposit, application fee, admin fee — and is any of it refundable?
- 3.Is there a waitlist? How long is it currently?
- 4.What income proof and references do you need (pay stubs, offer letter, parole officer, past landlords)?
A refusal to answer screening questions, or a deposit demanded before you've seen a unit, are red flags — walk away.
Affordable Housing Directory — Largest Saint Paul Properties
The 10 largest of 134 properties in public HUD databases, by unit count. This is a directory of subsidized housing, not a list of confirmed second-chance rentals — each property's background screening policy is set by its owner or manager and is not in the public data. Call and ask.
What the type labels mean: LIHTC — tax-credit building; income limits apply, rents are capped by program rules tied to area median income (not 30% of your income). Section 8 — an assisted-property record, which does not establish availability or acceptance of a tenant-based voucher. Ask which subsidy applies to the unit and who calculates the rent.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul Pha Mcdonough Homes - 02 | 125 Arlington Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55117 | Section 8 | 592 |
| Skyline Towers | 1247 Saint Anthony Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55104 | Section 8 | 504 |
| Skyline Tower | 1247 St Anthony Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104 | LIHTC | 504 |
| St. Paul Pha Hamline, Front, Seal Hr Rad - 03 | 777 Hamline Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55104 | Section 8 | 479 |
| St. Paul Pha Ravoux, Central Neill - 08 | 325 Laurel Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55102 | Section 8 | 468 |
| Rivercrossing | 1725 Graham Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55116 | LIHTC | 325 |
| St. Paul Pha Roosevelt Rad - 05 | 1156 Supornick Ln, Saint Paul, MN 55106 | Section 8 | 320 |
| Torre Westminster Vista | 1374 Westminster Street, Saint Paul, MN 55130 | LIHTC | 289 |
| Afton View Apartments | 365 S Winthtop Street, Saint Paul, MN 55119 | Section 8 | 286 |
| 808 Berry Place Apartments | 808 Berry Street, Saint Paul, MN 55114 | LIHTC | 267 |
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling: rental applications, tenant rights, budget/credit help, and foreclosure prevention. Listings come from HUD's counseling agency dataset.
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA REGIONAL LEGAL SERVICES, INC.
450 Syndicate St N Ste 260, Saint Paul, MN
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling
NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
481 Wabasha St S, Saint Paul, MN
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
MODEL CITIES OF ST PAUL, INC.
839 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN
Services: Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF MINNESOTA
709 University Avenue W, SAINT PAUL, MN
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling
COMUNIDADES LATINAS UNIDAS EN SERVICIO-CLUES
Services: Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
COMMUNITY NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES, INC DBA NEIGHBORWORKS HOME PARTNERS
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
Tips for Finding Housing with a Record
- 1.Call properties directly before applying. Ask the manager about their screening criteria for criminal records — this saves you time and application fees.
- 2.Compare written screening criteria from private landlords and larger complexes instead of assuming one type will be more flexible.
- 3.Prepare a "rental resume" with references from employers, parole/probation officers, past landlords, or community organizations that can vouch for you.
- 4.Ask for all move-in costs in writing and check local deposit/prepayment limits before agreeing to extra money upfront.
- 5.LIHTC (tax credit) buildings have income limits and set rents — ask about their background screening when you call, since it varies by owner.
- 6.Contact HUD-approved housing counseling agencies for free help with rental applications and understanding your rights.
- 7.Answer required application questions accurately. Ask legal aid how sealed, expunged or legally restricted records should be handled; disclosure and termination rules depend on the jurisdiction and facts.
- 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 Saint Paul?
- Use the affordable housing list below to build a call list. Saint Paul has 134 affordable housing properties in public HUD databases (95 LIHTC tax-credit properties and 39 Section 8 / federally assisted properties). Criminal-record screening policies are set by each property's owner or manager and are not published in these databases — so treat every listing as "unknown until you call." Ask about their background criteria before paying an application fee. Private landlords and smaller complexes set their own policies too and can be worth asking.
- Will a felony disqualify me from renting in Saint Paul?
- Not automatically. Many landlords do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Minnesota 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 does the stored rent benchmark tell me about Saint Paul?
- A rent benchmark is not available in our Saint Paul data. Ask the local PHA for its applicable payment standard and check HUD's current FMR lookup. The PHA calculates your total tenant payment using HUD income rules. For ordinary tenant-based vouchers, assistance is based on the lower of gross rent or the applicable payment standard, minus that payment. Gross rent includes the PHA utility allowance. Your actual rent to the landlord can differ from your family share. LIHTC rents use program limits tied to area income and unit size; they are not automatically 30% of your own income.
- Are there sober living homes in Saint Paul?
- No Oxford Houses are currently listed in our Saint Paul data, but other sober living options may exist. Contact local recovery organizations, the Minnesota 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, rental applications, default/foreclosure prevention, and credit repair. Saint Paul has 7 HUD-approved agencies. They can help you understand your rights and prepare a stronger rental application — useful when you have a record. Find them in the list below, or search HUD's own locator at hud.gov/counseling.
- Can I get Section 8 housing with a criminal record in Minnesota?
- A criminal record does not by itself answer whether you qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher. Federal rules require denial in specified circumstances, including lifetime sex-offender registration, methamphetamine production on federally assisted premises, certain current drug activity and some recent drug-related evictions from assisted housing (with specified exceptions). PHAs also apply discretionary screening rules. Ask the PHA for its current written policy and any review procedure; these are not the same as a private landlord's screening rules. Contact the PHA serving Saint Paul for its application and waitlist process.
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Helpful guides
- Banking & CreditHow to rebuild credit
- Background ChecksApartments with no background check
- UtilitiesLIHEAP — energy bill assistance
- Food & BenefitsSNAP / food stamps -- how to apply by state
Sources & Data
- Property records: HUD LIHTC Database and HUD Multifamily Housing Database (subsidized housing directory only — no per-property criminal screening data)
- Oxford House, Inc. — house listings; openings change weekly, check the official site or call
- Federal Bureau of Prisons — Residential Reentry Centers
- HUD Housing Counseling Agencies
- HUD Fair Market Rents and HUD Income Limits (LIHTC rent caps are tied to these area limits, not to individual tenant income)
- HUD — Housing Choice Vouchers: tenant guide