Second Chance Apartments in Seattle, WA
Last updated:
Seattle, WA Housing at a Glance
343
Affordable Properties
25
Oxford Houses
$2,501
FMR 2BR Rent
4
Counseling Agencies
Finding Second Chance Housing in Seattle
Finding an apartment with a criminal record in Seattle can be challenging, but it is far from impossible. The Seattle metro area has 343 affordable housing properties, including 297 LIHTC (tax credit) properties and 46 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, Seattle has 4 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.
For those in recovery, there are 25 Oxford Houses in the Seattle area providing self-supporting, sober living environments. These are an excellent option if you need stable housing while rebuilding your life.
Largest Affordable Housing Properties in Seattle
These are the largest subsidized properties by unit count. Contact them directly to ask about availability and screening policies.
| Property | Address | Type | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Row Or Townhouse (multi-family) | 2831 S Genesee St, Seattle, WA 98108 | LIHTC | 781 |
| Homeworks Phase I | 2445 Nw 57th St, Seattle, WA 98107 | LIHTC | 704 |
| Seattle High Rise Rehabilitation Phase II | 6420 California Ave Sw, Seattle, WA 98136 | LIHTC | 654 |
| Seattle High Rise Rehabilitation Phase III | 9201 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118 | LIHTC | 587 |
| Creston Point | 13445 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S, Seattle, WA 98178 | LIHTC | 476 |
| Tressa Apartments | 14200 Linden Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133 | LIHTC | 474 |
| Arrowhead Gardens | 9200 2nd Ave Sw, Seattle, WA 98106 | LIHTC | 449 |
| Duplex Semi-detached | 7135 Holly Park Dr S, Seattle, WA 98118 | LIHTC | 427 |
| Hampton Heights Apartments | 9061 Seward Park Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118 | LIHTC | 379 |
| Lake Washington Apartments | 9061 Seward Park Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118 | LIHTC | 379 |
Oxford Houses in Seattle
Oxford Houses are self-supporting, democratically run sober living homes. Residents share expenses and maintain sobriety together.
Federal Halfway Houses (Residential Reentry Centers)
BOP-contracted facilities that provide transitional housing for individuals completing federal sentences.
- Pioneer Human Services; DBA: Pioneer Industries — Seattle, WA · 206-766-7021
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 METROPOLITAN SEATTLE
105 14th Ave Ste 200, Seattle, WA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Default/Foreclosure Workshop, Financial/Budget Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Fair Housing Workshop, Homeless Counseling, Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshop, Predatory Lending Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Rental Housing Workshop, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
HOMESIGHT
4219 S Othello St Ste 130B, Seattle, WA
Services: Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
EL CENTRO DE LA RAZA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop
CREDIT.ORG - SEATTLE BRANCH
450 Alaskan Way S, Seattle, WA
Services: Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Financial/Budget Workshop, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Pre-Purchase Workshop, Rental Housing Counseling, Reverse Mortgage Counseling
Fair Market Rent — Seattle Metro Area
HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMR) annually to determine Section 8 voucher amounts. The 2-bedroom FMR in Seattle is:
$2,501/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 Seattle?
- Start by contacting LIHTC and Section 8 properties directly — Seattle has 343 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 Seattle?
- Not necessarily. Many landlords in Seattle do individual assessments rather than blanket rejections. The type of conviction, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation all matter. Washington 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 Seattle?
- The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Seattle metro area is $2,501/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 Seattle?
- Yes. There are 25 Oxford Houses in the Seattle area. Oxford Houses are democratically run, self-supporting sober living homes. Residents share expenses and hold each other accountable. Contact them directly for availability — some may have vacancies right now.
- 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. Seattle has 4 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 Washington?
- 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 Seattle 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
- ExpungementWashington expungement guide
- Voting RightsFelon voting rights in Washington
- Gun RightsFelon gun rights in Washington
- DUI RecoveryDUI license recovery in Washington
- ProbationProbation & parole in Washington
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