Second Chance Apartments in San Francisco, CA
Last updated:
San Francisco, CA Housing at a Glance
248
Affordable Properties
0
Oxford Houses
$3,604
FMR 2BR Rent
6
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in San Francisco
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in San Francisco can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The San Francisco metro area has 248 affordable housing properties, including 191 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 57 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 Francisco has 6 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 Francisco
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northridge Coop Homes | 1 Ardath Ct, San Francisco, CA 94124 | Section 8 | 526 |
| North Beach Place | 455 Bay St, San Francisco, CA 94133 | LIHTC | 341 |
| 320 And 330 Clementina | 320-330 Clementina Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 | LIHTC | 276 |
| Glenridge Cooperative | 9 Berkeley Way, San Francisco, CA 94131 | Section 8 | 275 |
| Valencia Gardens Hope Development Vi | 340 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103 | LIHTC | 260 |
| 1045 Mission Apts | 1045 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103 | LIHTC | 258 |
| Silvercrest Residence- San Francisco | 133 Shipley St, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Section 8 | 257 |
| Yerba Buena Commons | 88 Perry St, San Francisco, CA 94107 | LIHTC | 257 |
| The Salvation Army Sf Silvercrest Residence | 133 Shipley St, San Francisco, CA 94107 | LIHTC | 257 |
| Nihonmachi Terrace | 1615 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 | Section 8 | 245 |
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- GEO Reentry, Inc. — San Francisco, CA · 415-346-9769
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.
SAN FRANCISCO LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER
1800 Market St, San Francisco, CA
Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
SAN FRANCISCO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
4439 3rd St, San Francisco, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
MISSION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (MEDA)
2301 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop
BALANCE-SF 3RD STREET
5172 3rd St, San Francisco, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
BALANCE - SAN FRANCISCO
3543 18th St, San Francisco, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
ASIAN INCORPORATED
1167 Mission Street, 4th Floor, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling
Fair Market Rent — San Francisco Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in San Francisco is:
$3,604/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 Francisco?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — San Francisco has 248 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 Francisco?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in San Francisco 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 Francisco?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the San Francisco metro area is $3,604/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 Francisco?
- While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in San Francisco, 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 Francisco has 6 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 Francisco 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