How do I find second chance apartments in San Diego?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — San Diego has 181 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 Diego?

Not necessarily. Many landlords in San Diego 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 San Diego?

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the San Diego metro area is $3,001/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 Diego?

While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in San Diego, 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. San Diego has 3 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 San Diego Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Second Chance Apartments in San Diego, CA

Last updated: 2026-03-24

San Diego, CA Housing at a Glance

181

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

$3,001

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in San Diego

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in San Diego can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The San Diego metro area has 181 affordable housing properties, including 150 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 31 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 Diego has 3 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 San Diego

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Canyon Rim Apartments	10845 Via Los Narcisos, San Diego, CA 92129	Section 8	504
Canyon Rim Apts	10931 Gerana St, San Diego, CA 92129	LIHTC	504
Meadowbrook Apts. I	7844 Paradise Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92139	Section 8	448
Meadowbrook Apartments	7844 Paradise Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92139	LIHTC	448
Villa Nueva Apts.	3604 Beyer Blvd, San Diego, CA 92173	Section 8	390
Coronado Terrace Apartments	1183 25th St, San Diego, CA 92154	Section 8	312
The Stratton Apartments	3884 1/2 Caminito Aguilar., San Diego, CA 92111	Section 8	312
Coronado Terrace	1151 25th St, San Diego, CA 92154	LIHTC	312
Stratton Apts	3884 1/2 Caminito Aguilar, San Diego, CA 92111	LIHTC	312
President John Adams Manor	5471 Bayview Heights Pl, San Diego, CA 92105	LIHTC	300

Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)

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

CoreCivic, Inc. — San Diego, CA · 619-615-1970
Working Alternatives, Inc. — San Diego, CA · 714-898-6400

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 SAN DIEGO COUNTY

4305 University Ave Ste 360, San Diego, CA

619-266-6256website

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

NAVICORE SOLUTIONS- SAN DIEGO, CA

1111 6th Ave, San Diego, CA

866-472-4557housing@navicoresolutions.orgwebsite

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

MONEY MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL - SAN DIEGO

3111 Camino Del Rio N Ste 400, San Diego, CA

866-232-9080counselinginfo@moneymanagement.orgwebsite

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

Fair Market Rent — San Diego Metro Area

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

$3,001/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 Diego?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — San Diego has 181 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 Diego?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in San Diego 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 San Diego?: The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the San Diego metro area is $3,001/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 Diego?: While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in San Diego, 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. San Diego has 3 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 San Diego 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.