Felon Friendly Apartments Near Me – Housing for Felons

How can I find felon friendly apartments near me? This is a common question because finding apartments accepting felons is hard. 

Many landlords and property management companies have strict policies against renting to individuals with criminal records. They’re concerned about liability, property damage, and the potential for future criminal activity.

Suppose you’ve been searching for ‘felony friendly apartments near me’ or ‘felony approved apartments near me’ without getting any results. What can you do to ensure a more successful apartment hunt?

Best Way To Find Felon Friendly Apartments Near Me 2024

Background checks are the biggest obstacle between you and a place to call home, and most apartment communities run background checks.

They happily take your application fee, then turn you down. 

What’s the alternative?

Well, we’ve got plenty of alternatives for you, but let’s start with the two most straightforward options. 

1. Use the services of a second-chance apartment finder
2. Use Zillow’s portable rental application

Second-Chance Apartments For Felons 2024

Second-chance apartment finders are licensed real estate agents with a difference. They specialize in helping felons and renters with evictions or bad credit find a place to live. 

When you work with a second chance apartment finder, you get help from a local expert and benefit from their existing relationships with landlords who are open to renting to felons.

Apartment finders save you time and money because you’ll only apply for apartments willing to take someone with your background.

Large cities are more likely to have second-chance apartment finders. If you can’t find one in your town, contact a regular real estate agent who handles rentals and sales. 

Rental agents have access to much more information about rental eligibility criteria than you typically see featured on the listing itself.

Zillow Portable Rental Application

Zillow is the biggest real estate and rental listing site in the United States. With their portable rental application, you only pay for a background and credit check once ($35), then you can apply for as many rentals as you like for free during the next 30 days.

Sounds great, right? The downside is you can only apply to participating landlords, and some property managers don’t accept the portable application.

Even so, it’s a low-cost way to apply for multiple apartments and houses for rent in your price range. If a rental listing takes portable applications, you’ll see an Apply Now button. 

If you can’t use your Zillow application, the listing will have a Request to Apply button, instead.

Search Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/rent/renter-search-center/

More Ways To Find Apartments That Accept Felons

• Locally posted for rent ads
• Word of mouth
• Online classified ads
• Reentry organizations
• Extended stay hotels
• Homeless shelters
• Low-Income housing 
• Monthly Airbnb

Look For Locally Posted ‘For Rent’ Ads 2024

Some landlords still find tenants the old-fashioned way, by placing a for rent card on a bulletin board or putting a flyer in the front window.

You won’t find these hidden gems online because these landlords don’t advertise online. While background checks for these rentals are still possible, they’re less likely. 

Visit neighborhoods in your price range. Check stores and businesses for community bulletin boards, and drive around slowly looking for signs in windows.

Here’s a list of places where you’ll often find bulletin boards:

• Supermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Libraries
• Gyms 
• Churches
• Laundromats
• Coffee shops
• Community centers
• Beauty salons
• Bookstores
• Restaurants & bars
• DIY stores
• Garden centers

Ask For Word Of Mouth Referrals

Use your network. This might seem obvious, but it’s often overlooked. Talk to friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances about your housing search. You’d be surprised how many people might know some apartments that accept felons or have a connection that could help. 

Remember, millions of Americans have been convicted of felonies, and they all live somewhere. Tapping into your extended network can uncover opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.

Word of mouth also works online. 

Post a help request in the Facebook group and subreddit for your area.

Facebook groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/discover/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/

When you make a post, provide some information about your situation. Briefly mention what your felony is for, how long ago it happened, and your price range.

People could point you toward landlords they know, tell you about apartments that definitely rent to felons, or even offer a rental opportunity themselves.

Search Online Classified Ads

The two main websites for rental classified ads are Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. 

These platforms are goldmines for finding rentals from private landlords who may be more flexible with their policies. 

Unlike property management companies who can’t deviate from their strict rental policies, individual owners are often more willing to hear you out. Some are only interested in your ability to pay the rent and don’t run a criminal background check at all.

Don’t be afraid to send a message asking about their background check policies – being upfront can save you time and potential application fees.

When you meet landlords to view rentals, dress as though you’re going for an interview so you make the best impression you can.

Gather character references from your employer, previous landlord, probation officer, rehab counselor, community leader, etc. 

Take copies of your bank statements or pay stubs, and be willing to offer a higher security deposit if necessary. 

Craigslist: https://www.craigslist.org/about/sites#US

Facebook Marketplace: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/

Talk To Churches & Charities

Staff and volunteers at churches and charities usually know some apartments that accept felons. They’re also networked with other local organizations that could help you.

Your local library may also have an onsite social worker you can talk to for practical advice about felon-friendly landlords and second-chance apartments for felons in the area.

Here are some resources to get you started.

• United Way: Call the free United Way helpline at 2-1-1
• Catholic Charities: https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/about-us/find-a-local-agency/
• Salvation Army: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/provide-shelter/
• DePaul USA: https://depaulusa.org/programs/housing-services/

Get Help From Reentry Organizations

Reentry organizations offer numerous services to help offenders get back on their feet. Advisors have plenty of experience helping felons find housing and they should be able to give you some leads or make some calls for you.

If you’re a recently released felon on parole, ask your parole officer to connect you with felon-friendly landlords.

Find reentry resources by:

• Searching online for ‘offender reentry’ in your area
• Calling the 2-1-1 helpline
• Visiting your state corrections or justice department website

Rent A Room At An Extended Stay Hotel

At first glance extended stay hotels can seem expensive. But they’re more affordable than they appear because all utilities are included along with free cable TV and Internet access. You won’t need a big security deposit either.

Rooms are similar to studio apartments and rental periods are week-to-week, or month-to-month. Asking for a longer rental (90 days for example) and paying weekly, will get you the best rate.

As with all types of accommodation, extended-stay hotels cater to every budget. Search online to find local hotels in your price range.

This isn’t a permanent solution, but you’ll have a place to stay while you continue your apartment search.

Turn To Homeless Shelters

If you’re stuck with nowhere to go, check into a homeless shelter or visit a day shelter. Ask the shelter staff to suggest apartments that accept felons. 

Shelters offer more than a bed for the night. With connections to community partners and social services, shelter counselors are experts at finding housing for hard-to-place individuals and families.

Call 2-1-1 to find your nearest shelters with vacancies. 

Check Low-Income Housing 2024

If your income qualifies, low-income housing can be another avenue to explore. These providers still run background checks but often have more flexible policies when it comes to criminal backgrounds, taking into account the nature of the felony offense, its age, and evidence of rehabilitation. 

What exactly qualifies as low income? Well, it’s not a one-size-fits-all definition. Qualifying incomes are calculated based on your household size and the median income in your city or county. 

The low-income threshold in New York City will be different from what’s considered low-income in a small town in the Midwest.

If you think you might qualify for low-income housing, check out the Affordable Housing website at https://www.affordablehousing.com/.

Each listing on the site shows the applicable income limit, so you can quickly see if you’re eligible. 

If you do qualify as low-income, you might also be eligible for housing assistance programs that help you pay your rent. Reach out to your local public housing authority to begin the process of applying for rent assistance.

Book A Monthly Airbnb Rental 2024

Airbnb is a platform that connects hosts and clients. Hosts rent all kinds of accommodation, from a spare room in their home, or studio over their garage, to condos and houses.

While the platform is best known for short-stay rentals for vacationers and business travelers, some Airbnb hosts offer long-term monthly rentals.

Monthly rentals come with big discounts, and all the bills are included in your price.

One very nice thing about a monthly Airbnb is the quality of accommodation. Nice neighborhoods, comfortable furnishings, and working appliances are standard.

Find a monthly rental: https://www.airbnb.com/stays/monthly

Consider A Sublet

Sometimes tenants need to move before the end of their lease. Whether they’re moving for work or family reasons, they don’t want to be stuck paying rent for an apartment they’re no longer using.

Subletting their apartment is the solution to their problem and it could be the solution to your housing search too.

A sublet may only be for a few months, but if the sublet goes well, you might be able to renew the lease.

Find sublets on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace

Rent A Spare Room

If you’re open to living with a roommate, renting a spare room is an affordable option that could work for you.

You get your room and share the rest of the living space with 1 or more roommates.

See what’s available in your area. If you find a suitable room, send a message for more information. 

Find a roommate: https://www.spareroom.com/roommates

Look For A Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Apartment

SRO apartments are often open to housing individuals with criminal backgrounds.

Aimed at individuals on a low income, SRO apartments offer a single room in a building where residents share communal kitchens and bathrooms.

These ‘apartments’ are usually in urban areas close to public transport. Tenants receive a standard lease, so you can settle in for a long-term stay without worrying about needing to move on at the end of the month.

Next Steps

Work with a second chance apartment finder, contact reentry organizations, charities, and homeless shelters, and ask for word-of-mouth referrals. 

Use Zillow’s portable application to save money on application fees.

Consider apartment alternatives – sublets, roomshares, SRO apartments, a monthly Airbnb, or an extended stay hotel.

Remember, private landlords are easier to work with than property management companies.

Above all be persistent and don’t give up. Apartment hunting with a felony takes effort, but eventually, someone will say yes.