When looking for a place to call home or for a fresh start, it is hard to get apartments that accept felons in Arizona. You might get rejected often. And it’s the landlord’s right if they do so. But we’ll be giving out a few tips and ways to make it easy to get an apartment that accepts felons in the Grand Canyon state.
Finding Apartments That Accept Felons In Arizona
Arizona is a state full of adventure and mixed culture, which makes it a perfect friendly environment for felons. It is popularly known for its Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Park. With beautiful desert and mountain scenery Arizona packs visitors and tourists alike. A state with opportunities to start a small business or side hustle.
The crime rate in AZ varies depending on the city and type of crime. Don’t let the desert view fool you. Arizona has been rated the 10th most dangerous state in the U.S. by many even those living in the cities of the state. There are felons of different races, crimes, and mentalities. However, there are many places to call haven for a fresh start in Az.
It’s against the law for landlords to discriminate against people based on their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, family status, or disability when renting out a place to live. But, the law doesn’t specifically protect people with criminal records. Landlords are allowed to look into an applicant’s criminal history, and some may decide not to rent to someone based on that information. Also, in Arizona, there are no state laws specifically prohibiting landlords from refusing to rent to individuals with felony convictions.
With the right knowledge and resources, getting felon-friendly housing is possible. Here are tips and strategies for finding felon-friendly apartments:
Explore Online
Take advantage of online platforms and resources that cater to individuals with criminal records.
You can click The Real Yellow Pages for 30 apartments that rent to felons in Phoenix. There are many other websites and apps that you can search for apartments, to see landlords that will rent to folks with criminal pasts such as:
Yelp shows the top 10 best felon-friendly apartments near Phoenix, AZ.
Websites like secondchancelocator and aptfindcriminal specialize in listing apartments that rent to those with a criminal history, and they’ve lots of testimonies. These platforms can save you time and effort by pointing you in the right direction.
Apartments And Property Management Companies
Start your search by researching apartments and property management companies that may be more open to renting to individuals with criminal backgrounds. Look for online reviews, testimonials, or forums where people share their experiences. This can give you an idea of which places are more open-minded and willing to give second chances. Very few management companies rent to felons, you might be lucky enough to get one.
Housing Agencies And Nonprofits
Don’t hesitate to reach out to housing agencies and nonprofits that specialize in helping individuals with criminal backgrounds find housing. They may know about felon-friendly apartments or be able to provide guidance and support throughout the apartment search process.
Local Supportive Housing Initiatives
In Arizona, various local supportive housing initiatives aim to assist folks with criminal records in finding apartments. These initiatives often collaborate with landlords who are more open to renting to individuals with felony convictions. Reach out to these organizations to learn more about the housing opportunities they offer and the assistance they can provide in your search.
Support Groups
Reentry organizations and support groups are valuable resources that can offer guidance and support during your housing search. These organizations understand the unique challenges faced by individuals with criminal records and can assist in navigating the rental process. They can also connect you with other individuals who have successfully found housing as felons, allowing you to learn from their experiences.
Housing Programs For Specific Offense Types
Some housing programs in Arizona are tailored to specific offense types, such as substance abuse or domestic violence. These programs can provide specialized support and housing options for individuals who have been convicted of these specific crimes. Research and reach out to organizations that offer these programs to explore the housing opportunities available to you.
Dealing With Background checks
Arizona background checks go as far back as 7 years. Anything more than that, you should be good to get a place confidently.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) keeps a central database of criminal records in Arizona. However, the state will only share criminal history information with agencies that have been authorized by law to receive it. It does not provide criminal records information to private employers other than nonprofits. If you’re a non-profit organization, you might have trouble getting information about your job applicants from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. They won’t give you details about their work history, education, or other important data that you might need.
You can clear your record if you were arrested for possession of marijuana due to the passage of the recreational marijuana law in Arizona in Nov. 2020. Weed is now legal in AZ but regulated.
Other Tips And Strategies Include:
- Referral from family and friendly
- Religious communities like churches give temporary places to stay
- Get good proof of income
- Consider exploring reentry programs and transitional housing options specifically designed to support individuals with criminal backgrounds.
- Research local and state programs that offer financial assistance or rent subsidies to individuals with low income.
Safe Places For A Fresh Start In Arizona
When looking for an apartment in AZ, you’d want to get a safe area that would not ignite the fire of your past. Stay in an area that best suits your lifestyle, has low crime, and can easily get a job. Here are 10 places we’ll like to show you:
- Maricopa
- Lake Havasu City
- Prescott Valley
- Chandler
- Surprise
- Buckeye
- San Luis
- Sahuarita
- Gilbert
- Oro Valley
Final Words
Applying the tips and strategies given will provide a more success rate in finding a home in Arizona. You would face challenges but that shouldn’t be a wall to stop you. In Arizona, there are different housing programs for different types of crimes, like drug use or fighting at home. These programs can help you find a safe place to live and get the support you need. Look for groups that offer these programs to learn more about the housing options that might be right for you.
