Second Chance Apartments in San Antonio, TX
Last updated:
San Antonio, TX Housing at a Glance
231
Affordable Properties
41
Oxford Houses
$1,426
FMR 2BR Rent
4
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in San Antonio
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in San Antonio can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The San Antonio metro area has 231 affordable housing properties, including 158 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 73 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, San Antonio 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 41 Oxford Houses in the San Antonio 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 San Antonio
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kallison Ranch | 8212 Talley Road, San Antonio, TX 78254 | LIHTC | 384 |
| Medio Springs Ranch Apartments | 1530 Marbach Oaks, San Antonio, TX 78245 | LIHTC | 348 |
| Sagewood Apts | 6130 Ingram Rd, San Antonio, TX 78238 | LIHTC | 336 |
| Lucero Apartments | 527 S. Acme Road, San Antonio, TX 78237 | LIHTC | 324 |
| The Stella | 4835 Lord Road, San Antonio, TX 78220 | LIHTC | 324 |
| The Scott At Medio Creek | 8671 Sw Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78252 | LIHTC | 324 |
| Esperanza At Palo Alto | 12305 Sw 410, San Antonio, TX 78224 | LIHTC | 322 |
| Copernicus | 707 Se Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78220 | LIHTC | 318 |
| Applewood Ranch | Swc Of Us Hwy 90 & Loop 1604, San Antonio, TX 78252 | LIHTC | 317 |
| Culebra Creek | 12100 Culebra Rd, San Antonio, TX 78253 | LIHTC | 312 |
Oxford Houses in San Antonio
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Crosspoint, Inc. — San Antonio, TX · 210-225-0864
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
OUR CASAS RESIDENT COUNCIL, INC.
2300 W Commerce St Ste 218, San Antonio, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - SAN ANTONIO, TX
1603 Babcock Rd Suite 200, SAN ANTONIO, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF SAN ANTONIO
847 Steves Ave, San Antonio, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
CITY OF SAN ANTONIO/DEPT OF NEIGHBORHOOD AND HOUSING SERVICES (DNHS)
100 W Houston St, San Antonio, TX
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, 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
Fair Market Rent — San Antonio Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in San Antonio is:
$1,426/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 San Antonio?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — San Antonio has 231 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 San Antonio?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in San Antonio do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Texas 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 San Antonio?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the San Antonio metro area is $1,426/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 San Antonio?
- Yes. There are 41 Oxford Houses in the San Antonio 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. San Antonio 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 Texas?
- 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 San Antonio 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 Houston, TX
- ExpungementTexas expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Texas
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Texas
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Texas
- ProbationProbation & parole in Texas
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