How do I find second chance apartments in San Jose?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — San Jose has 182 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 Jose?

Not necessarily. Many landlords in San Jose 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 Jose?

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the San Jose metro area is $3,483/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 Jose?

While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in San Jose, 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 Jose has 2 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 Jose Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Second Chance Apartments in San Jose, CA

Last updated: 2026-03-24

San Jose, CA Housing at a Glance

182

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

$3,483

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in San Jose

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in San Jose can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The San Jose metro area has 182 affordable housing properties, including 159 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 23 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 Jose has 2 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 Jose

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Second El Rancho Verde Apts	303 Checker Dr, San Jose, CA 95133	Section 8	700
El Rancho Verde Apts	303 Checkers Dr, San Jose, CA 95133	LIHTC	700
Siena At Renaissance	4355 Renaissance Dr, San Jose, CA 95134	LIHTC	637
Valley Palms Apts	2155 Lanai Ave, San Jose, CA 95122	LIHTC	354
San Fernando Apts	101 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95112	LIHTC	323
Corde Terra Family Apts	2600 Corde Terra Cir, San Jose, CA 95111	LIHTC	300
Orchard Glen Apts	3975 Seven Trees Blvd, San Jose, CA 95111	LIHTC	288
Foxdale Apts	1250 Foxdale Loop, San Jose, CA 95122	LIHTC	287
Thornbridge Apts	5150 Monterey Hwy, San Jose, CA 95111	LIHTC	286
Timberwood Apts	3903 Seven Trees Blvd, San Jose, CA 95111	LIHTC	286

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

Free or low-cost housing counseling. These agencies can help you find housing, understand your rights, and navigate applications.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY ASIAN LAW ALLIANCE

991 W Hedding St, San Jose, CA

408-287-9710website

Services: Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY EAST BAY/SILICON VALLEY - MILPITAS

1608 Las Plumas Ave, San Jose, CA

510-803-3362creid@HabitatEBSV.orgwebsite

Services: Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop

Fair Market Rent — San Jose Metro Area

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

$3,483/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 Jose?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — San Jose has 182 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 Jose?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in San Jose 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 Jose?: The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the San Jose metro area is $3,483/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 Jose?: While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in San Jose, 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 Jose has 2 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 Jose 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.