This guide is your one-stop resource for felony friendly housing MN. We’re sharing the contact details for a provider of felony-friendly apartments you can contact today, and we offer some apartment and house-hunting tips you might not have thought about before.
Follow our guide and we’re sure you’ll soon have a new place to call home and find the list of felony friendly landlords MN.
For Felony Friendly Housing MN Contact Aeon
See felony friendly housing Minneapolis mn
Address: 901 North 3rd Street, Suite 150, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: 612-341-3148
Website: https://www.aeon.org/
Aeon is a registered nonprofit provider of affordable housing. They offer felon-friendly housing if you meet their qualifying criteria on income level and criminal background.
The nonprofit currently has 60 housing communities across:
- Minneapolis
- Saint Paul
- Bloomington
- Brooklyn Center
- Chaska
- Columbia Heights
- Little Canada
- Maplewood
- Mound
- New Hope
- Ramsey
- Richfield
- Roseville
Aeon has varying felony acceptance standards depending on the housing development in question.
At some apartments, you’ll need to have a charge date that’s 5 or 10 years in the past depending on the offense. At others, there’s no minimum period for the same offenses.
Some very serious offenses like arson, murder, sexual offenses, and manufacturing methamphetamine will not be considered, however.
The best thing to do is contact them and ask which communities you can apply for. Some properties may have a waiting list, but if you qualify, it’s worth going on the waiting list because Aeon communities have very affordable and high-quality apartments.
If you prefer to look through the acceptance criteria yourself, follow these steps:
- Go to the search listings page at https://management.aeon.org/searchlisting.aspx
- Select an area.
- Use the filters to specify your rental budget, the number of beds/baths, and whether you need a pet-friendly place.
- Select each community and check through the details (some only accept youths).
- Click the “resident selection criteria” button to go to the qualification and income page.
- Click on “resident selection criteria”.
- Read through the document, then find your offense on the criminal criteria table.
- If you meet the standard, put in an application.
Related: Best Housing For Felons In Texas
Re-Entry Options For Help Finding Felony Friendly Housing in MN
Re-entry organizations offer expert help to individuals with felonies or misdemeanors on their backgrounds. If you’re at risk of homelessness, don’t hesitate to contact local resources. They’ll make sure you have a place to live so you don’t end up in a desperate situation.
You can also use these resources if you just want some good leads on housing for felons in Minnesota.
Heart Of Clay Ministry Crossing Home
Address: PO Box 944, Moorhead, MN 56561
Phone: 612-889-9619
Website: https://www.heartofclay.org/
Heart of Clay Ministry provides a transitional housing and sober living faith-based program in Clay County, Minnesota.
If you’re recently out of prison and would welcome support grounded in Christian fellowship, a place at Crossing Home could be a wonderful opportunity for you.
Amicus Reconnect
See felon friendly apartments Minneapolis
Address: 3041 4th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55408
Phone: 612-277-3009
Website: https://www.voamnwi.org/amicus-reconnect
Amicus Reconnect offers a full range of support services for felons; both those newly returning to the community and those who may need support years after release.
They operate a drop-in center where you can get help with housing, employment, transportation, clothing, household goods, communications, and other basic needs.
Stop by and see a counselor or call to discuss your offense and get referrals to affordable housing providers willing to work with your background.
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
Website: https://home.tchabitat.org/
Habitat For Humanity is a program that provides a path to affordable home ownership for eligible applicants. They’re open to applications from former felons and will assess applications on a case-by-case basis.
Homeownership is an avenue worth exploring and it can often be more affordable than renting. You’ll build a valuable asset, and you won’t have to deal with picky landlords!
Apply For Felony Friendly Housing With The Minnesota Housing Authority
The Minnesota Housing Authority is your resource for public housing and Section 8 housing vouchers. These resources are available to low-income individuals and families.
Check current income limits at https://mphaonline.org/housing/how-to-apply/eligibility/.
Because so many people need affordable housing, you may need to join a waiting list when you apply.
Applying for public housing can be confusing, so it’s a good idea to get help from a free housing counselor by using the search options on https://hudgov-answers.force.com/housingcounseling/s/?language=en_US.
Will your felony be a barrier to accessing public housing in Minnesota? Not necessarily. While the Minnesota Housing Authority carries out criminal background checks on all applicants, the lookback period they consider depends on the type of offense.
Very serious felony offenses, including (but not limited to) murder, kidnapping, arson, criminal sexual conduct, and firearms use against a person are all subject to a thorough review regardless of the age of the offense.
Less serious offenses, including 3rd-degree assault, simple robbery, prostitution, and theft, are only subject to further review if the conviction is within 3 years, or if it’s been less than 1 year since your release from prison.
Felons convicted of manufacturing meth, and felons required to register as sex offenders are not eligible for public housing assistance.
You can see a full list of criminal eligibility criteria by checking the policy document here. Go to Appendix H (page 151) to see the criminal background chart.
See Also: Housing For Felons In Georgia
Use A Second Chance Agency To Find Housing For Felons In Minnesota
Second-chance agencies or second chance apartment locators work with individuals who have trouble qualifying for rentals because of their criminal background or financial issues.
The majority of major apartment complexes won’t work with renters who have a felony on their background, which is why finding housing is so difficult when you’ve got a criminal offense on your record.
Second chance agencies have extensive knowledge of the local rental market and they know which apartment complexes, property management companies, and independent landlords are open to renting to felons.
You’ll still need to undergo a background and credit check so the apartment finder can match your housing options and pre-qualify you for a rental.
To use an apartment finder, you’ll need to be employed, and have a security deposit and proof of income.
Use your search engine to search for “second chance apartment locator MN”.
Regular real estate agents may also be able to help you find felon-friendly housing. Call agents in your area and ask if they handle rentals for tenants with criminal backgrounds. If they don’t offer that service, ask if they can recommend an agent who does.
Register With Beyond Backgrounds
Beyond Backgrounds is a rent assurance program for individuals with criminal backgrounds and bad credit. The assurance program lowers a landlord’s risk by guaranteeing rent payments and providing up to $2000 to cover property damage and eviction fees if you aren’t a good tenant.
As well as providing the assurance program, beyond Background can help you find landlords willing to work with the program.
It’s free to register with Beyond Backgrounds and receive help from a housing coach. When you find a landlord who will rent to you, you pay $300 for the assurance program.
Take a look at the details on their website at https://beyondbackgrounds.carrd.co/. If you want to know more, fill out the form to provide your contact information and details about your offense.
Search For Housing For Felons in Minnesota on Housing Link
Housing Link lists housing options for those on low incomes, and they also have listings that accept felonies.
- Go to https://housinglink.org/
- Enter the area you’re interested in.
- Use the filters to specify the number of bedrooms, your budget, and any other criteria you need. The more filters you apply, the fewer options you’ll get, though.
- Use the contact information on each listing to ask about their criminal background policy.
Unfortunately, the listings don’t generally specify what the criminal background policy is, so you’ll need to ask. But this is a good resource because the majority of listings are for housing communities that accept Section 8 vouchers, and those landlords will usually be flexible.
Craigslist Is A Good Source Of Housing For Felons MN
Craigslist features rentals from independent landlords rather than listings from large apartment complexes operated by inflexible property management companies.
Independent landlords will be more willing to make a judgment based on your current situation without holding your past against you.
You can even find landlords who don’t want to run a background check, they just want proof that you can afford the rent.
Even so, be prepared to answer questions about your background honestly. You’ll also get better results when you meet with landlords if you’re prepared with bank statements and pay stubs, and character references from your employer, church or community leader, tutor, caseworker, or re-entry coach.
Craigslist gives you the option to filter your housing search to show landlords that don’t charge an application fee. Those that don’t charge a fee are less likely to run a background check.
- Go to https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/
- If you want to search for an area outside Minneapolis, select a different area from the menu.
- Under the housing section, choose “apts/housing”.
- Use the filters to set your price range, number of bedrooms, and other criteria.
- Check the box next to “no application fee”, then click “Apply” to see the results.
Apartments at the cheaper end of the scale are more open to considering felons, so it’s a good idea to order the search by rental amount. Choose the option $-$$$ from the drop-down menu.
Send a brief message to each listing asking about their rental acceptance criteria (you can copy and paste the same message each time).
While Craigslist is a great way to search for housing for felons in MN, it’s also a place where you’ll encounter scams. To protect yourself, always view the property in person, and don’t be fobbed off with a virtual tour. Don’t pay security deposits or rent until you’ve signed a lease.
Search Rental Listings On Facebook Market Place
Like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace is another great way to search for housing for felons in Minnesota.
- If you don’t already have a Facebook account, create one so you can reply to ads.
- Click on the Marketplace tab.
- Click Property Rentals.
- Enter the area you want to search and specify your maximum budget.
- Select apartments and houses.
- Toggle the “listings from individuals” button.
- Browse the results.
Send a message to each property that meets your requirements and check back for new listings every day.
Recap
The properties owned and managed by Aeon are a good place to start your search for felony-friendly housing in Minnesota.
Other resources you should consider using are our re-entry organizations, second-chance apartment locators, and the rent guarantee program at Beyond Backgrounds.
If your income level makes you eligible for public housing, contact a counselor and get help with your application.
Finally, take a look at the options on the Housing Link website, and search for independent landlord-owned properties on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
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Charles Greg is the Co-Founder, Author, & Head Developer behind RentingtoFelons.org
With a lifelong passion for humanity.