How do I find second chance apartments in Santa Ana?

Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Santa Ana has 28 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 Santa Ana?

Not necessarily. Many landlords in Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana?

Rent varies widely in Santa Ana. Subsidized housing through LIHTC or Section 8 programs typically costs 30% of your adjusted gross income, which can be significantly less than market rate. Contact local housing authorities for current availability and rates.

Are there sober living homes in Santa Ana?

While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Santa Ana, 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. Santa Ana has 5 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 Santa Ana Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

Second Chance Apartments in Santa Ana, CA

Last updated: 2026-03-25

Santa Ana, CA Housing at a Glance

Affordable Properties

Oxford Houses

N/A

FMR 2BR Rent

Counseling Agencies

Finding Second Chance Housing in Santa Ana

Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Santa Ana can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Santa Ana metro area has 28 affordable housing properties, including 22 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 6 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, Santa Ana has 5 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 Santa Ana

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

Property	Address	Type	Units
Warwick Square Apts	780 S Lyon St, Santa Ana, CA 92705	LIHTC	500
City Gardens Apts	2901 N Bristol St, Santa Ana, CA 92706	LIHTC	274
Flower Terrace	1401 N Flower St, Santa Ana, CA 92706	Section 8	200
Santa Ana Towers	401 W First St, Santa Ana, CA 92701	LIHTC	200
Flower Park Plaza	901 W 1st St, Santa Ana, CA 92703	Section 8	199
Santa Ana Towers	401 W 1st St, Santa Ana, CA 92701	Section 8	199
Rosswood Villa	100 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701	Section 8	199
Flower Park Plaza	901 W First St, Santa Ana, CA 92703	LIHTC	199
Wilshire & Minnie Apts	1201 E Wilshire Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92707	LIHTC	144
Wakeham Grant Apts	816 Minnie St, Santa Ana, CA 92701	LIHTC	127

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

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

ORANGE COUNTY FAIR HOUSING COUNCIL, INC

2021 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA

714-569-0823hudcounseling@fairhousingoc.orgwebsite

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

ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY HOUSING CORPORATION

501 N Golden Circle Dr Ste 200, Santa Ana, CA

714-558-8161letty@occhc.orgwebsite

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

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

515 Cabrillo Park Dr, Santa Ana, CA

909-866-2792housing@lsssc.orgwebsite

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

HOMEOWNERSHIP OC

801 W Civic Center Dr Ste 200, Santa Ana, CA

714-204-2314cdt@conniedt.comwebsite

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

EPICENTER FOUNDATION

206 W 4th St Ste 425, Santa Ana, CA

714-361-4139info@epicenterfoundation.orgwebsite

Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Home Improvement/Rehabilitation Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling

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 Santa Ana?: Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Santa Ana has 28 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 Santa Ana?: Not necessarily. Many landlords in Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana?: Rent varies widely in Santa Ana. Subsidized housing through LIHTC or Section 8 programs typically costs 30% of your adjusted gross income, which can be significantly less than market rate. Contact local housing authorities for current availability and rates.
Are there sober living homes in Santa Ana?: While there are no Oxford Houses currently listed in Santa Ana, 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. Santa Ana has 5 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 Santa Ana Housing Authority and be honest about your history. Wait times can be long, so apply as soon as possible.

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ExpungementCalifornia expungement guide
Voting RightsFelon voting rights in California

Helpful guides

ToolsReentry organizations directory
Drug TestingHow long does PCP stay in your system?
Pardon & ClemencyPardon & clemency by state — how to get a pardon
DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery by state

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.