Housing Options for Felons in Texas

In Texas, housing for felons is available through various avenues, including state and charity-run reentry programs, subsidized housing initiatives, charity-run shelters, transitional housing projects, and private landlords who offer second-chance apartments.

Securing felon-friendly housing is one of the most significant challenges offenders encounter upon release from prison. Because felons are not a protected class under the Fair Housing Act, landlords are legally permitted to refuse renting to ex-offenders.

This guide will outline your housing options.

Does Texas Law Prevent Someone With A Felony From Renting An Apartment?

While having a felony conviction can make finding an apartment difficult, it’s not an automatic disqualification in Texas. Previously, landlords worried about lawsuits from other tenants if a felon committed a crime on the property.

However, a law change (House Bill 1510) protects landlords from such liability for non-violent felons. This has encouraged more landlords to consider renting to people with non-violent felony records.

Are There Limitations On A Landlord's Ability To Reject A Tenant With A Criminal Record In Texas?

When you apply to rent an apartment, most landlords will conduct a background check, including a criminal history report.

Landlords can refuse to rent to you based on your felony, as long as they evaluate your criminal history individually and don’t impose a blanket ban on renting to offenders. If an apartment complex states they do not rent to felons, this blanket ban could violate the Fair Housing Act.

However, if a landlord reviews your background check and determines you might pose a risk to their property or other residents, they are legally allowed to deny your application.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords from discriminating against housing applicants based on race, ethnicity, gender, sex, age, disability, family status, religion, or national origin. While having a felony does not make you a protected class under this act, housing barriers based on criminal history can disproportionately impact minorities who are protected.

To comply with the Fair Housing Act, landlords using criminal background reports must screen all applicants equally and consistently.

Is There Any Housing Assistance For Felons In Texas?

As we’ve already mentioned, finding a place to live when you’ve got a felony on your record can be difficult, but some help is available from second-chance apartment finders, charities, reentry programs, and subsidized housing programs.

Second Chance Apartment Finders

Second-chance apartment finders are real estate agents who specialize in finding rentals for people who can’t pass a background check because of an unfavorable criminal history or credit report.

If you can afford market rent, and have the funds for advance rent and a security deposit, then using the services of a second chance apartment finder is an option for you.

These services are often free to use because they receive a finder’s fee from the property owner.

They’ll ask to you consent to a background check to determine which landlords in their database will agree to rent to you.

Some second-chance landlords, for example, won’t rent to violent offenders or sex offenders, others say no to drug convictions.

Search on Google to find second-chance apartment finders in Texas, or visit “Apartment Find for Criminal Issues” and fill out their contact form at https://aptfindcriminal.com/our-services/felony-convictions/.

Are Felons Eligible For Subsidized Housing In Texas?

Subsidized housing is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD programs for low-income households include the Public Housing program and the Section 8 voucher program.

These housing programs are open to anyone meeting the low-income threshold for their area, they aren’t just for felons. Waiting lists can be very long, so it’s essential to make an application as soon as you can.

Subsidized housing programs run criminal background checks on all applicants.

Federal regulations bar anyone with a conviction for manufacturing methamphetamine in publicly assisted housing from receiving support.

Sex offenders with a lifetime registration requirement are also prohibited from receiving subsidized housing support.

Local public housing authorities in Texas also impose their own restrictions. Each housing authority has its own policy, but generally, PHAs will reject applicants with convictions for drug-related offenses, violent crimes, sex offenses, and arson.

For some offenses, the restriction will be time-limited, for others the offense means a permanent ban.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Reentry Program

For information about housing and the other help available through state reentry programs, call the reentry hotline at (877) 887-6151.

Reentry programs assist with transitional housing, employment, skills training, identity documents, education, substance abuse, and mental health issues.

The Texas Department Of Justice Resource List

The Texas Department of Justice offers a comprehensive list of resources for felons and other ex-offenders.

These resources are provided by state and local government agencies, as well as charity and non-profit organizations.

Resources are organized on a county-by-county basis, making it easy to find assistance in your local and neighboring areas.

Each listing includes the name of the organization, the type of help they offer, their address and contact details, and a brief description of their services.

For example, in Anderson County, Redemption House in Palestine, Texas, provides housing for males, including sex offenders and those on monitors, for $50 per week.

For the full list of resources, visit this link.

Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative (T.O.R.I)

The Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative (T.O.R.I.) assists ex-offenders in finding safe and secure housing. They collaborate with shelters and transitional housing providers to ensure affordable housing is accessible to returning citizens.

T.O.R.I. offers support in various areas, including housing, employment, education, and medical needs, making it a reliable resource for ex-offenders.

For more information, visit their website or contact the Dallas office at 214-941-1325 ext. 101, or the Fort Worth office at 817-496-9667 ext. 105.

Read more: Apartments That Accept Felons in Fort Worth

The Way Back House

The Way Back House provides case management services to adults in Dallas and the surrounding areas. Services are available if you’ve been released from prison in the last 12 months.

You’ll receive a personal assessment and assistance tailored to your unique needs.

Visit the website at https://thewaybackhouse.org/

Cornbread Hustle

Cornbread Hustle is a second-chance employment agency linking ex-offenders with felon-friendly jobs throughout Texas.

Having stable employment is a vital step towards self-sufficiency, and landlords expect to see a verifiable source of income when they apply for a rental.

The staff at Cornbread Hustle may also have some leads on landlords willing to rent to felons, and their website has a resource page listing several housing charities and many other services.

To learn more, visit https://cornbreadhustle.com/

Apartments That Rent To Felons In Dallas TX

To effectively find apartments that rent to felons in Dallas, TX, utilizing a second chance apartment locator is highly recommended. This tool helps you avoid wasting time and money applying to places that may reject you due to your background.

Alternatively, if you prefer to conduct your own search, consider looking for independent landlords on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Why are independent landlords preferable to apartments managed by property management companies?

Independent landlords generally have more flexibility regarding tenant backgrounds compared to corporate leasing offices at larger apartment complexes. They are often more open to renting to individuals with a criminal history, especially if you can demonstrate stable employment, provide a security deposit, and offer positive references. Some independent landlords may not even require a background check.

For direct searches:

Craigslist Dallas: https://dallas.craigslist.org/
Facebook Marketplace Dallas: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/dallas/

Housing For Felons In Austin Texas

The Reentry Roundtable offers a comprehensive list of housing providers and other reentry resources for ex-offenders in Austin and Travis County.

Visit their website at https://www.reentryroundtable.org/get-help/ and follow the instructions to locate housing for felons in Austin, Texas.

Another organization offering help finding felon-friendly housing in Austin is the United Way for Greater Austin.

United Way provides information about housing, employment, transportation, food, basic needs, education, and childcare.

Help is just a phone call away on the free multilingual helpline. Call United Way by dialing 2-1-1.

Summary

You’ll need to be persistent when you search for housing for ex-offenders in Texas.

It’s easy to get discouraged when landlords reject you, but you shouldn’t take it personally. Just move on to the next landlord on your list.

Going through a state or charity-run reentry program is a good option because often this is the only way to find many of the landlords offering transitional housing and second-chance rentals.

These landlords don’t advertise their rentals and work directly with reentry service providers.

If you’ve already got a steady income, think about using a second-chance apartment finder, or look for independent landlords on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Check the listings several times a day so you catch new listings as soon as possible.

Housing Options for Felons in Texas

Does Texas Law Prevent Someone With A Felony From Renting An Apartment?

Are There Limitations On A Landlord's Ability To Reject A Tenant With A Criminal Record In Texas?

Is There Any Housing Assistance For Felons In Texas?

The Texas Department Of Justice Resource List

Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative (T.O.R.I)

The Way Back House

The Way Back House provides case management services to adults in Dallas and the surrounding areas. Services are available if you’ve been released from prison in the last 12 months.

You’ll receive a personal assessment and assistance tailored to your unique needs.

Visit the website at https://thewaybackhouse.org/

Cornbread Hustle

Cornbread Hustle is a second-chance employment agency linking ex-offenders with felon-friendly jobs throughout Texas.

Having stable employment is a vital step towards self-sufficiency, and landlords expect to see a verifiable source of income when they apply for a rental.

The staff at Cornbread Hustle may also have some leads on landlords willing to rent to felons, and their website has a resource page listing several housing charities and many other services.

To learn more, visit https://cornbreadhustle.com/

Apartments That Rent To Felons In Dallas TX

To effectively find apartments that rent to felons in Dallas, TX, utilizing a second chance apartment locator is highly recommended. This tool helps you avoid wasting time and money applying to places that may reject you due to your background.

Alternatively, if you prefer to conduct your own search, consider looking for independent landlords on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Why are independent landlords preferable to apartments managed by property management companies?

Independent landlords generally have more flexibility regarding tenant backgrounds compared to corporate leasing offices at larger apartment complexes. They are often more open to renting to individuals with a criminal history, especially if you can demonstrate stable employment, provide a security deposit, and offer positive references. Some independent landlords may not even require a background check.

For direct searches:

Craigslist Dallas: https://dallas.craigslist.org/
Facebook Marketplace Dallas: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/dallas/

Housing For Felons In Austin Texas

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.

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