Finding housing with a criminal record can be tough. However, with the right approach, you’ll find second chance apartments in Washington DC, and secure stable housing. Here’s how to get started.
Finding Second Chance Apartments in Washington DC 2024
Felons have strong protection against unfair discrimination when searching for low income apartments Washington.
(Please note that this information only relates to Washington DC. It does not apply to housing for felons in Washington state.)
The Fair Criminal Record Screening for Housing Act
This Washington DC law prevents landlords from checking your criminal background before making a conditional acceptance offer. Here’s what you need to know.
- Landlords and property managers must give you a copy of their full tenant eligibility criteria before accepting an application fee.
- Initially, landlords can only check your credit, and verify your income, employment, and rental history.
- After making a conditional rental offer, a criminal background check (previous 7 years) can take place. The 7-year limit is counted from the date of your guilty plea or the date of the verdict.
- A conviction or pending charge cannot result in automatic disqualification.
- Landlords must carry out an individual risk assessment, taking into account the nature of the crime, how recent it was, evidence of rehabilitation, and other mitigating factors.
- To disqualify an applicant, the landlord must show that they present a real risk to their property, business, or the safety of others.
This law is a key protection when you’re looking for second chance apartments in DC.
Use The Department of Housing and Community Development Housing Search
The housing search tool is a free service to help renters find suitable housing in Washington DC.
This tool is so helpful for felons because you can filter for apartments that don’t carry out background checks!
When we tested this filter, we found 58 felony friendly apartments in Washington DC with no criminal background check.
Housing search tool: https://dchousingsearch.org
To find no criminal background check apartments in Washington DC:
- select rentals from the menu
- switch to the advanced tab on the search tool
- scroll to the last section
- select “no criminal check”
Felon Friendly Apartments In Washington DC
Here’s a small sample of the felon friendly apartments we found.
Minnesota Terrace Apartments
- 1,2 & 3 bedroom apartments
- Rents start at $1,025
- No criminal background check
Address: 301 Anacostia Road SE, Suite 101, Washington, DC 20019
Call: 202-582-2535
Website: http://rentoasis.com
Stoneridge II Apartments
- 1 & 2 bedroom apartments
- Rents start at $845
- No criminal background check
Address: 319 Anacostia Road SE, Washington, DC 20019
Call: 202-722-2100
Website: https://www.thebarac.com
Private Owner
- 1 bedroom apartments
- Rents start at $1,329
- No criminal background check
- No credit check
Address: 5503 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE, Washington, DC 20019
Call: 202-733-1276
Private Owner
- 2 bedroom apartments
- Rents start at $1,450
- No criminal background check
- No credit check
Address: 1608 17th Pl SE, Washington, DC 20020
Call: 202-321-7777
Get Help From A Second Chance Apartment Finder
Second chance apartment finders connect renters with landlords willing to overlook criminal backgrounds or bad credit.
Fill out the form: https://secondchanceapartments.com/cities/washington-d-c/.
Provide brief details about the nature and age of your offense, and a housing specialist will get back to you.
Washington DC Apartments On Craigslist
With thousands of rental listings from private owners and smaller property managers, Craigslist is one of the best resources for felons looking for housing in Washington DC.
While landlords on Craigslist often have less restrictive tenant acceptance criteria, there’s no way to filter for “no background check” or “felons considered” listings.
The best way to approach your search is to set your budget and number of bedrooms, then view the results by price from lowest to highest.
Keep an eye out for listings in Anacostia, Petworth, Hillcrest, and Deanwood. You’ll have a better chance of finding felon-friendly landlords in these more affordable neighborhoods.
Remember your rights and ask about eligibility criteria before you fill out any applications.
Facebook Marketplace also has listings from private landlords in Washington DC willing to consider renting to felons.
Craigslist: https://washingtondc.craigslist.org
Facebook Marketplace: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/dc
Reach Out To The Reentry Action Network
If you’re struggling to find your feet after returning from incarceration, get housing help from the Reentry Action Network (RAN).
RAN offers a full range of essential services and can connect you with community partners who will help with your housing search.
Community partners also help you access housing programs for felons in DC that require a referral.
Learn more: https://dc-ran.org/services
Are you a formerly incarcerated woman? If so, be sure to read the Housing Guide for Reentering Women in DC, produced by the Community Justice Project.
Get the guide: https://www.csosa.gov/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/2022/05/housing-guide-reentering-dc-women.pdf
Finally, you’ll have even more rental options if you extend your search to communities within commuting distance of DC.
Charles Greg is the Co-Founder, Author, & Head Developer behind RentingtoFelons.org
With a lifelong passion for humanity.