SecondChanceInfo

Second Chance Apartments & Affordable Housing in San Jose, CA

Housing data snapshot: · Program explanations updated

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What this page gives you

  • Every affordable housing property we can find for San Jose in public HUD databases — 182 listings (159 LIHTC, 23 Section 8 / federally assisted), with the 10 largest shown below.
  • 2 HUD-approved agencies that give free or low-cost rental help.

What it cannot tell you

  • Whether any specific property accepts applicants with a criminal record. Screening policies are set by each owner or manager and are not part of the public data — nothing on this page is a confirmed "felon-friendly" property.
  • Current availability, rents, or waitlists — these change constantly. Numbers below come from our 2026-03-25 data pull.

Use this page to build a call list, then use the questions below before you pay any application fee.

San Jose, CA Housing at a Glance

182

Affordable listings (HUD databases)

0

Oxford Houses (sober living)

$3,483

HUD 2BR FMR (FY2025 snapshot)

2

HUD counseling agencies

Map is an independent Google search of the area — not a map of the listings on this page, and its pins may include businesses we don’t list. The listings on this page span the greater metro area including nearby towns; each listing’s address line shows the town it is actually in.

External Google Maps search of the San Josearea — not a map of the listings in this page's data. Use the lists below for actual addresses.

Finding Housing in San Jose with a Criminal Record

The San Jose metro area has 182 affordable housing properties in public HUD databases, including 159 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 23 Section 8 / federally assisted properties. Each one sets its own tenant screening policy — criminal-history rules are not published in the databases, so the honest status for every property below is unknown until you call.

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 set their own policies too and 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 or low-cost assistance with rental applications, understanding your rights, and budget/credit issues. Their contact info is listed below.

Before you pay any application fee, ask

  • 1.What is your criminal-history screening policy, and which convictions or time frames does it look at?
  • 2.What are the total move-in costs — deposit, application fee, admin fee — and is any of it refundable?
  • 3.Is there a waitlist? How long is it currently?
  • 4.What income proof and references do you need (pay stubs, offer letter, parole officer, past landlords)?

A refusal to answer screening questions, or a deposit demanded before you've seen a unit, are red flags — walk away.

Affordable Housing Directory — Largest San Jose Properties

The 10 largest of 182 properties in public HUD databases, by unit count. This is a directory of subsidized housing, not a list of confirmed second-chance rentals — each property's background screening policy is set by its owner or manager and is not in the public data. Call and ask.

What the type labels mean: LIHTC — tax-credit building; income limits apply, rents are capped by program rules tied to area median income (not 30% of your income). Section 8 — an assisted-property record, which does not establish availability or acceptance of a tenant-based voucher. Ask which subsidy applies to the unit and who calculates the rent.

PropertyAddressTypeUnits
Second El Rancho Verde Apts303 Checker Dr, San Jose, CA 95133Section 8700
El Rancho Verde Apts303 Checkers Dr, San Jose, CA 95133LIHTC700
Siena At Renaissance4355 Renaissance Dr, San Jose, CA 95134LIHTC637
Valley Palms Apts2155 Lanai Ave, San Jose, CA 95122LIHTC354
San Fernando Apts101 E San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95112LIHTC323
Corde Terra Family Apts2600 Corde Terra Cir, San Jose, CA 95111LIHTC300
Orchard Glen Apts3975 Seven Trees Blvd, San Jose, CA 95111LIHTC288
Foxdale Apts1250 Foxdale Loop, San Jose, CA 95122LIHTC287
Thornbridge Apts5150 Monterey Hwy, San Jose, CA 95111LIHTC286
Timberwood Apts3903 Seven Trees Blvd, San Jose, CA 95111LIHTC286

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

Free or low-cost housing counseling: rental applications, tenant rights, budget/credit help, and foreclosure prevention. Listings come from HUD's counseling agency dataset.

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

Historical Fair Market Rent — San Jose Metro Area

The FY2025 snapshot records this 2-bedroom FMR for San Jose; it is not a current rent quote:

$3,483/month (2BR)

The PHA calculates your total tenant payment using HUD income rules. For ordinary tenant-based vouchers, assistance is based on the lower of gross rent or the applicable payment standard, minus that payment. Gross rent includes the PHA utility allowance. Your actual rent to the landlord can differ from your family share. LIHTC rents use program limits tied to area income and unit size; they are not automatically 30% of your own income. Check current HUD FMR data. HUD voucher calculation guide.

Tips for Finding Housing with a Record

  • 1.Call properties directly before applying. Ask the manager about their screening criteria for criminal records — this saves you time and application fees.
  • 2.Compare written screening criteria from private landlords and larger complexes instead of assuming one type will be more flexible.
  • 3.Prepare a "rental resume" with references from employers, parole/probation officers, past landlords, or community organizations that can vouch for you.
  • 4.Ask for all move-in costs in writing and check local deposit/prepayment limits before agreeing to extra money upfront.
  • 5.LIHTC (tax credit) buildings have income limits and set rents — ask about their background screening when you call, since it varies by owner.
  • 6.Contact HUD-approved housing counseling agencies for free help with rental applications and understanding your rights.
  • 7.Answer required application questions accurately. Ask legal aid how sealed, expunged or legally restricted records should be handled; disclosure and termination rules depend on the jurisdiction and facts.
  • 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?
Use the affordable housing list below to build a call list. San Jose has 182 affordable housing properties in public HUD databases (159 LIHTC tax-credit properties and 23 Section 8 / federally assisted properties). Criminal-record screening policies are set by each property's owner or manager and are not published in these databases — so treat every listing as "unknown until you call." Ask about their background criteria before paying an application fee. Private landlords and smaller complexes set their own policies too and can be worth asking.
Will a felony disqualify me from renting in San Jose?
Not automatically. Many landlords 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 does the stored rent benchmark tell me about San Jose?
Our FY2025 data snapshot records a 2-bedroom HUD Fair Market Rent of $3,483/month for the San Jose metro area. This historical program benchmark is not today's average asking rent or your PHA payment standard. Use HUD's current FMR lookup and ask your PHA for its applicable standard. The PHA calculates your total tenant payment using HUD income rules. For ordinary tenant-based vouchers, assistance is based on the lower of gross rent or the applicable payment standard, minus that payment. Gross rent includes the PHA utility allowance. Your actual rent to the landlord can differ from your family share. LIHTC rents use program limits tied to area income and unit size; they are not automatically 30% of your own income.
Are there sober living homes in San Jose?
No Oxford Houses are currently listed in our San Jose data, but other sober living options may exist. 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, rental applications, default/foreclosure prevention, and credit repair. San Jose has 2 HUD-approved agencies. They can help you understand your rights and prepare a stronger rental application — useful when you have a record. Find them in the list below, or search HUD's own locator at hud.gov/counseling.
Can I get Section 8 housing with a criminal record in California?
A criminal record does not by itself answer whether you qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher. Federal rules require denial in specified circumstances, including lifetime sex-offender registration, methamphetamine production on federally assisted premises, certain current drug activity and some recent drug-related evictions from assisted housing (with specified exceptions). PHAs also apply discretionary screening rules. Ask the PHA for its current written policy and any review procedure; these are not the same as a private landlord's screening rules. Contact the PHA serving San Jose for its application and waitlist process.

Related Resources on This Site

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Helpful guides

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.

Sources & Data