Finding housing for felons in Florida is difficult. Securing felon-friendly apartments anywhere isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but thanks to the huge influx of people into the Sunshine State in recent years, there’s a lot of pressure on Florida’s rental market.
Increased demand for rentals has pushed rents to new highs, while competition among renters means landlords are extra picky about credit scores, rental history, and criminal background checks.
Finding stable housing is vital for a successful reentry after a period of incarceration in Florida. But, can felons rent apartments in Florida? The following help is available:
The strict screening criteria used by large apartment complexes often mean that felons will be rejected. Because application fees are high, always contact the rental office to find out about their criminal background policy before you apply.
Unlike more felon-friendly states, Florida doesn’t limit how far back criminal background searches can go. Old offenses can continue to cause housing issues for many years. If moving out of state is an option for you, give relocating some serious thought.
If you’re exploring apartments for felons in Florida for a loved one currently in prison, their prison counselor will be their best resource for transitional housing. Prison counselors also help inmates connect with prison ministries that focus on reentry services.
The initial step in your quest for housing programs for felons in Florida begins with contacting your local reentry service.
Reentry services are dedicated to assisting returning citizens in reintegrating into society. Equipped with current information on landlords who are open to renting to individuals with criminal backgrounds, reentry advisors can assist you in applying for housing that does not automatically disqualify applicants based on their criminal history.
To locate reentry services near you, conduct an online search using keywords such as “reentry” followed by your county or nearest city. You can also access reentry resources through the Florida Department of Corrections website.
Visit the FDC website at: https://fdc.myflorida.com/resourceDirectory/Search.aspx
The website is user-friendly. Simply choose “housing” as the service category, then select your county and city. Click on submit to view a list of reentry service providers available in your area.
The most effective method to locate apartments that accommodate felons in Orlando, FL involves browsing rental listings on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
These platforms offer a diverse array of rental options from independent landlords and flexible property management companies. Whether you’re looking for long-stay hotels, rooms in shared houses, apartments, houses, mobile homes, or sublets, there are choices to fit every budget.
Since not all landlords are felon-friendly, you’ll need to meticulously review the listings and contact each rental within your budget range. Check the listings at least twice daily to catch newly posted rentals and apply promptly.
Will you need to undergo a background check? Some landlords conduct background checks solely for credit scores and eviction history, while others perform comprehensive background checks. There are also landlords who do not conduct any background checks.
If a landlord requires a background check as part of the application process, disclose your felony and inquire about their policy regarding applicants with criminal records.
To view rentals on Craigslist Orlando, visit: https://orlando.craigslist.org/
To access Facebook Marketplace, log in to the Facebook app and navigate to Marketplace from the menu.
If you’re open to relocating from Orlando, follow the same approach to search for felon-friendly apartments in Tampa, FL (which tends to be slightly more affordable than Orlando).
Another valuable resource for finding felon-friendly housing in Orlando is Offender Housing.
Offender Housing primarily offers rental housing for sex offenders but may also assist individuals with other types of felonies. For more information, visit their website or contact them directly.
Website: https://www.offenderhousing.org/resources/
Phone: (407) 807-0733
Second chance apartment finders connect renters with poor credit histories, previous evictions, and criminal records to suitable landlords.
While some apartment finders focus solely on credit problems and evictions, others also specialize in handling criminal backgrounds. When reaching out to an apartment finder, it’s important to inquire about their experience with felonies.
One example of an apartment finder that assists felons in Florida is Second Chance Apartments. You can visit their website at https://secondchanceapartments.com/ and select your city. Fill out the contact form with your details, and a rental agent will contact you.
Be prepared for a potential background check as part of the process to match you with landlords who are open to renting to individuals with a felony record. Some landlords specializing in second chance housing may only consider non-violent felonies or felonies that are several years old (e.g., 3, 5, or 7 years).
Housing affordability remains a persistent challenge for many returning citizens due to limited job opportunities.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) oversees the funding of low-income housing in Florida.
Landlords participating in HUD programs offer affordable housing options and accept tenants with Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8 vouchers). Rent payments are typically capped at 30% of the tenant’s income.
Felons who meet income criteria are eligible to apply for these low-income housing programs. While applicants can expect a background check, these checks are conducted fairly and in accordance with HUD guidelines.
One major obstacle applicants often face is the extensive waiting list, which can span up to two years on average. It is beneficial to apply early to increase your chances of securing housing.
To locate your local public housing authority, visit HUD’s website.
Quick Summary:
Accessing housing programs for felons in Florida involves utilizing reentry services, available both pre-release and post-release.
Other avenues include utilizing a second-chance apartment finder and exploring privately owned rentals listed on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
Disclamer: Nothing on this website should be construed as providing legal advice or creating an attorney-client relationship. Results may vary depending on the specific facts, circumstances, and legal issues involved in each individual case. All cases require a thorough review of the applicable law and facts before reaching a conclusion.