Apartments That Accept Felons In Michigan

Property managers and landlords do a background check before renting their property. If you’re convicted and searching for apartments that accept felons in Michigan, you might not find it easily. It’s because nobody is willing to rent their property to someone with a criminal history in the past.

This guide will provide helpful resources for finding apartments in Michinag that accept felons. Also, we’ll explain the recent changes in the Detroit Fair Chance Access to Housing Act to make finding housing easy for incarcerated people.

Methods To Find Housing That Accepts Felons in Michigan

Searching for an apartment in Michigan can feel challenging, especially for individuals with felony records. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to help you find suitable housing options.

1. Use Second-Chance Apartment Finders

Second-chance apartment finders are a helpful resource for renters with a criminal history. These real estate agents or rental companies specialize in matching individuals with landlords who don’t have an issue renting to persons with a felony.

By knowing the network of felon-friendly apartments in Michigan, they can streamline the search for you, saving you time and frustration.

To start, search online for a “second-chance apartment finder” or look on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Many real estate professionals now offer these services, especially in larger cities.

2. Look for Private Landlords

While corporate-owned apartments do rigorous background checks and are more likely to reject applicants with felonies, private landlords are often more flexible and ready to listen to you.

Since they own fewer properties and can make their own decisions without set policies, private landlords are sometimes more open to renting to individuals with criminal backgrounds, particularly if they can demonstrate stable income and responsibility.

Check listings on websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, where you can contact property owners directly.

To maximize your chances, be upfront about your background early on in the conversation—some landlords may appreciate the honesty and consider you for the rental.

3. Contact Reentry Programs for Assistance

Reentry programs throughout Michigan are designed to help individuals transition back into the community. Housing support is one of the main services these programs offer, and they’re often aware of apartment listings or resources specifically for people with felonies.

They also have local knowledge of landlords and housing options that may not be widely advertised. For assistance, consider contacting your local probation or parole office or dial 211 to reach out to United Way for more housing resources in Michigan.

Reentry programs often provide help beyond housing, including job placement, counseling, and other community services that can make the transition easier.

Explore the Calvin University Reentry Resources Map:

• Link– http://gis.calvin.edu/rc

This map offers a detailed list of all reentry programs in Michigan. Each pin on the map provides information on services ranging from housing support to food assistance. This tool is invaluable for locating resources near you.

4. Use the Michigan Sex Offender Registry

Although it may sound unconventional, looking up the Michigan Sex Offender Registry can provide a list of addresses where landlords are open to renting to individuals with a criminal history.

Since sex offenders have to register their home addresses, locating apartment complexes that rent to these individuals can offer leads for your own search.

To use this method, go to the Michigan Sex Offender Registry, enter a location, and view the addresses listed on the neighborhood map.

Note any apartment buildings, then search those locations to contact the landlord and inquire about their rental criteria.

5. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) plays a key role in helping individuals with criminal records, including released prisoners and felons, find stable housing.

While HUD does not directly offer housing specifically for those with felonies, it provides funding and resources to public housing agencies (PHAs) and local programs that may support second-chance housing opportunities.

HUD encourages PHAs to consider rehabilitation and offer housing options based on individual circumstances, helping formerly incarcerated individuals secure housing, rebuild stability, and reduce recidivism.

List Of Apartments That Accept Felons in Michigan

Here’s a list of some Michigan apartments known for more lenient rental policies, which may be helpful for felons seeking housing. We recommend you contact each apartment directly to discuss rental options.

1. Falcon Woods Apartments

Falcon Woods Apartments offers affordable and well-maintained housing in Michigan. Their policies were a little flexible a few months ago, and they used to rent felons on a case-to-case basis.

We don’t have any recent information about whether they still accept felons. But, it’s worth checking out if you’re looking for felon-friendly housing in Michigan to start fresh.

• Address: 12049 Falcon Ln, Holland, MI 49424, United States
• Phone: +1 616-738-8724

2. Exodus Place

Exodus Place is a non-profit organization that provides rapid re-housing, rehabilitation, and resources for former prisoners and those facing hardships.

This organization is committed to helping individuals rebuild and stabilize their lives, offering a community-focused environment that understands unique challenges.

• Address: 322 Front Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, United States
• Phone: +1 616-242-9130

3. Bethlehem House

If you’re a female working felon with no place to live, you can check out Bethlehem House. They offer transitional housing for working women facing homelessness in Detroit.

With three locations, they provide a supportive home where women can gain stability and work toward independence.

This program focuses on helping residents maintain employment while offering guidance in areas like personal finance and self-care, making it a valuable resource for those aiming to rebuild their lives.

• Address: 5063 Van Dyke St, Detroit, MI 48213, United States
• Phone: +1 313-923-6435

4. Bridgewood Apartments

Bridgewood Apartments is known for being more flexible with rental history, which may make it a good housing option for felons in Michigan.

They aim to provide fair chances for people looking to start fresh. For the latest on their rental policies, it’s a good idea to contact the office directly to understand what options might be available.

• Address: 25891 Bridgewood Ln, Brownstown Charter Twp, MI 48134, United States
• Phone: +1 734-782-9591

5. Alden Towers Apartments

Alden Towers Apartments provides a private waterfront with skyline views. They are known to consider rental applications on a case-by-case basis, which can be helpful for those with felony records.

If you’re interested, it’s a good idea to contact them directly to discuss your situation and learn more about their application process.

• Address: 8100 E Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI 48214, United States
• Phone: +1 313-824-1310

Detroit Fair Chance Housing Ordinance

The Detroit Fair Chance Housing Ordinance is a law designed to help people with criminal records find housing. It stops landlords from automatically denying rental applications based solely on a person’s criminal history.

Instead, landlords must consider each application individually and look at factors like the length of time the crime occurred and whether the person has changed. This law aims to give people a fair chance to find a home and rebuild their lives.

According to recent changes, apartment owners or landlords cannot ask about a renter’s criminal background until later in the rental application process.

Here’s how the process works:

1. The renter requests a rental application.
2. The application form cannot ask about criminal history.
3. Landlord reviews the application (income, credit history, evictions, etc.)
4. The landlord provides a conditional lease agreement if the renter is eligible for an apartment.
5. At this point, a landlord may investigate the renter’s criminal background.
6. If a criminal background is disqualifying, the landlord must allow the renter to provide evidence of rehabilitation.
7. After reviewing the evidence provided by the renter, the landlord can (a) proceed with the rental or (b) deny the application.
8. A renter faced with a rejection can file a complaint with the City of Detroit’s Civil Rights, Inclusion, and Opportunity (CIRO) Department.
9. CIRO conducts an investigation.
10. Landlords in violation of the Fair Chance Ordinance may face prosecution.

Landlords have the right to deny housing based on the following:

• Ineligible for public housing
• Lifetime registered sex offenders
• Violent or drug-related felonies
• Felonies committed in the last 10 years, imprisonment in the last 5 years
• Crimes against landlords, management, employees, agents, tenants,
• Arson
• Metal theft, vandalism, real property damage

Landlords have the authority to deny rental applications based on certain criminal offenses, particularly for felonies committed within the last 10 years and for individuals who have been imprisoned in the past 5 years.

Recently, Rochester Hills, Michigan, is being sued for its strict “no felons” policy in apartment rentals (source). The suit argues that this policy discriminates against individuals with felony records, violating fair housing laws.

Plaintiffs claim that such blanket policies prevent ex-offenders from securing housing, limiting their chances of successful reintegration into society.

Summary

Second-chance apartment finders and private landlords are the most effective methods to find housing for ex-felons. But, checking out the sex offenders registry is another excellent strategy to find no background check housing in Michigan. You can also apply to the above-listed apartments, as they consider felonies on a case-to-case basis.