Organizations assisting with housing for felons in Texas include state-funded and nonprofit reentry programs, transitional housing providers, and emergency shelters.
Public housing authorities provide housing assistance for felons in Texas through subsidized housing programs targeted at low-income renters.
Felons can also find rental housing through second chance apartment locators and private landlords willing to offer second chance leasing.
Also Read: Read Also: Felon Friendly Apartments Near Me – 15+ Options
Emergency Housing For Felons In Texas 2024
If you don’t have anywhere to live, or expect to be homeless soon, Texas homeless shelters will provide emergency accommodation, food, clothing, basic hygiene needs, and support while you search for a new home.
Most shelters run by charities and nonprofits provide a bed in a dormitory, shared room, or group home.
In some cases, vouchers are issued covering the cost of a motel room for a few nights if the shelter is full.
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Salvation Army Shelters
The Salvation Army is one of the largest shelter providers in the United States. As well as offering you a safe and welcoming place to stay, their shelters have trained advisors who will help you find long-term accommodation and access other essential services.
Find your nearest Salvation Army shelter at: https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/emergency-shelters/
Star Of Hope Shelters (Houston)
Felons needing housing in Houston can contact the Star of Hope shelter.
Star of Hope provides emergency shelter and basic needs. They also operate supportive transitional housing programs of up to 12 months for men and 18 months for women.
Men’s Shelter
Address: 1811 Ruiz St, Houston, TX 77002.
Call: 713-227-8900.
Intake: Daily between 8-11 AM and 1-3 PM.
Women and Family Shelter
Address: 2575 Reed Rd, Houston, TX 77051
Call: 713-222-2220.
Intake: Mon-Fri 8 AM-2 PM.
Texas Reentry Resources For Felons
Working with a reentry organization is the best way to access felon-focused resources. Reentry case managers help felons:
- Find temporary and long-term housing
- Access education programs
- Apply for benefits
- Train for new careers
- Receive counseling and support
Texas Reentry Hotline
To find reentry programs in Texas call the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Reentry Program hotline at 877-887-6151.
Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative (T.O.R.I)
T.O.R.I., a faith-based initiative run by the T.D. Jakes Foundation provides a range of reentry services and works with shelters and transitional housing providers to find housing for felons in Texas.
Contact their offices in Dallas or Fort Worth to join their reentry program.
Dallas Office: (214) 941-1325 ext. 101
Fort Worth Office: 817-496-9667 ext. 105
Website: https://medc-tori.org/
The Way Back House
The Way Back House assists men and women living in Dallas and the surrounding areas. Felons released in the last 12 months receive case management services, whole-person care, and tailored assistance designed to ensure long-term success.
Visit the website at: https://thewaybackhouse.org/
The Texas Department Of Justice Reentry Resource Guide
The reentry resource guide offers felons a comprehensive list of programs and resources provided by government agencies, charities, and nonprofit organizations.
Resources are listed by county, with each listing specifying the type of help on offer, along with address and contact details.
Search the list at: https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/documents/rid/RID_Reentry_Resource_Guide.pdf
Housing Assistance For Felons In Texas 2024
Can felons get housing assistance in Texas? Felons on a low income may qualify for subsidized housing programs operated by their local public housing authority (PHA).
Public housing programs offer eligible renters low-cost accommodation in government-owned housing, while the Housing Choice Voucher program covers up to 70% of the rent when you lease a home in the private rental market.
PHA Criminal Background Checks
Felons will need to pass a criminal background check before being approved for housing. PHAs have their own disqualifying criteria for criminal offenses in addition to the offenses banned by federal law.
Under federal law, these offenders are disqualified from public housing programs:
- Sex offenders with a lifetime registration requirement
- Offenders convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine on the premises of public housing
While PHA disqualifying criteria depend on local policies, offenders with recent convictions for drug-related offenses, violent crimes, sex offenses, and arson may not be eligible for housing.
Restrictions are usually time-limited (3 years, for example) but some types of offense could result in a permanent ban.
Check your local PHA policy to find out which offenses are disqualifying and how long the disqualification lasts.
Get On The Waiting List
Waiting lists for both programs are common. Depending on the demand for housing assistance in your area, wait times can range from several months to several years.
If you’re a felon on a low income, contact your local PHA as soon as possible to find out if you’re eligible for their subsidized housing programs.
Second Chance Apartments In Dallas Texas 2024
Can you rent an apartment with a felony in Texas? Felons can apply for any apartment rental on the market, but getting approved is often difficult with a criminal record.
Second chance apartments offer a way forward to tenants disqualified from the wider rental market due to evictions, poor credit history, or criminal backgrounds.
Because these apartments are hard to find on your own, working with a second chance locator is the most efficient way to find second chance apartments in Dallas.
Your apartment locator will match you with apartments you qualify for based on your criminal record. Violent felons may struggle to get approved.
Find Second Chance Leasing Apartments in Dallas
SCA Locators Dallas
Website: https://secondchancelease.com/second-chance-apartments-dallas/
Second Chance Leasing Dallas
Website: https://www.secondchanceleasingdallas.com/
Apartment Find Criminal
Website: https://aptfindcriminal.com/
Texas Apartment Locating
Website: https://www.texasapartmentlocating.com/second-chance
Second Chance Private Rentals
An effective way to find housing for felons in Texas is through private rental listings advertised on platforms including:
- Craigslist
- Facebook MarketPlace
- Zillow
- PadMapper
Private landlords are often more flexible than corporate owners, and felons tend to have better outcomes when they apply to independent landlords.
Often, you’ll be able to find landlords who don’t run criminal background checks, as well as owners who will give you a chance despite your background.
You may need to contact multiple landlords and deal with numerous rejections before finding a landlord willing to rent to you. Use the platform messaging systems to reach out to every landlord advertising a rental in your price range.
Next Steps
- Contact shelters to secure your immediate housing needs
- Work with reentry programs to find longer-term housing solutions
- Use second chance apartment locators to find felon friendly landlords
- Find private landlords on rental listing platforms
Nathan Rodgers is the Co-Founder, Author, & Head Developer behind Felonhousing.com | Join us in our mission to provide second chances and support.