Second Chance Apartments in Saint Paul, MN
Last updated:
Saint Paul, MN Housing at a Glance
134
Affordable Properties
0
Oxford Houses
N/A
FMR 2BR Rent
7
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Saint Paul
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Saint Paul can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Saint Paul metro area has 134 affordable housing properties, including 95 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 39 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, Saint Paul has 7 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 Saint Paul
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| 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. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
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 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 Saint Paul?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Saint Paul has 134 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 Saint Paul?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Saint Paul 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 is the average rent in Saint Paul?
- Rent varies widely in Saint Paul. 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 Saint Paul?
- While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Saint Paul, there are other sober living options. 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, buying, default/foreclosure prevention, and credit repair. Saint Paul has 7 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 Minnesota?
- 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 Saint Paul 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 Minneapolis, MN
- ExpungementMinnesota expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Minnesota
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Minnesota
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Minnesota
- ProbationProbation & parole in Minnesota
- SR22 InsuranceSR22 insurance in Minnesota
- License ReinstatementLicense reinstatement in Minnesota
Helpful guides
- HealthHow to apply for Medicaid
- ProbationProbation violations — what happens?
- TransportationHow much does a DUI cost?
- Background ChecksHow much does a background check cost?