Who issues housing grants for felons in Ohio? You can approach Ohio charities, nonprofits, and community organizations to get money to help with move-in costs or rent payments.
Assistance from your county Rapid Rehousing program and your local Public Housing Authority may also be available.
Housing Grants For Felons in Ohio (Rapid Rehousing)
If you’re currently homeless or expect to be homeless soon, reach out to the Rapid Rehousing program in your county. Staying at a homeless shelter qualifies as being homeless too.
Rapid Rehousing programs operate on a needs-first basis, meaning you can get financial help and other housing services even though you’ve got a felony.
How does Rapid Rehousing work? To access the program you need to get a housing needs assessment through your local Coordinated Entry access point.
Priority is given to families with children, the elderly, people with disabilities, the chronically homeless, and low-income households.
Program participants can receive grants covering their move-in costs—security deposit, utility deposits, first and last month’s rent—and may be eligible for rent support for a limited period.
The Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) provides a handy map showing all the Coordinated Entry access points in the state.
COHHIO Map: https://cohhio.org/resourceguide/
Charities And Nonprofits Offering Housing Grants
You may be able to get some financial assistance to help with your housing costs if you’re on a low income.
Ohio Community Action Agencies: These local organizations provide a wide range of services to low-income residents across Ohio.
Through their emergency aid and housing programs they provide rent assistance and help with utility bills. Find your local CAA HERE.
Salvation Army Housing Assistance: Provides grants to low-income households to help pay for security deposits, rent, and utility costs.
Also provides emergency housing. Find your nearest Salvation Army branch offering housing assistance.
Catholic Charities: Grants may be available to help cover move-in costs and utility deposits. Also offers temporary housing for up to 12 months and affordable permanent housing.
St. Vincent de Paul Ohio: Provides rent assistance to low-income households. Ongoing support also includes help with utility bills, food, and clothing. Learn more at https://ssvpusa.org/assistance-services/
United Way Helpline: The United Way runs a free helpline you can call 24/7 to find out about resources in your area.
A helpline advisor will ask you some questions about your situation so they can direct you to local organizations able to help. Just call 2-1-1.
Programs That Help Felons Get Housing in Ohio
Numerous charities and nonprofits run programs that help felons get housing in Ohio. You can find housing programs in your area in two ways.
- Call the free 2-1-1 helpline and explain that you need help to find and pay for felon friendly housing in Ohio
- Contact the reentry housing organizations listed at relink.org (https://relink.org/)
Here are a few of the programs offering housing for felons in Ohio:
Lutheran Social Services Of Northwestern Ohio
Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio offers case management services to returning citizens.
You’ll get help with housing, employment, transportation, social security, addiction and mental health treatment, parenting, and obtaining documents like your driver’s license and ID.
Get help: https://www.lssnwo.org/index.php/services/reentry-transition-services
Project Ready
The Project Ready program works with felons pre-and post-release. Your reentry plan will identify the support you need to successfully reintegrate back into community life.
Support includes housing, addiction and mental health treatment, education & training opportunities, job readiness, employment, and social integration.
Get help: https://projectready.net/about-us/
Salvation Army – Harbor Light Complex
The Salvation Army provides emergency housing and transitional housing for offenders at their Harbor Light Complex in Cleveland, Ohio.
P.A.S.S. Program: Homeless male offenders are eligible for the Pick Up, Assessment, Shelter & Services program.
Housing is provided in an alcohol and drug-free environment while you receive case management support to establish an income, permanent housing, and independent living skills.
Community Corrections Program: This residential reentry program helps offenders bridge the gap between incarceration and independent living. Case managers help residents develop life skills and secure employment and permanent housing.
Get help: https://easternusa.salvationarmy.org/northeast-ohio/clevelandharborlight/
Long-Term Rent Assistance For Felons
Can felons get any long-term rent assistance? Yes, felons can be eligible for rent assistance programs targeted at low-income households.
If you pass a criminal background check and meet program income limits you may qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher, Public Housing, or Affordable Housing programs.
Run by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), the Housing Choice Voucher program provides monthly rent assistance to tenants in the private rental market, while the Public Housing program provides accommodation in publicly owned or subsidized housing.
Because of the high demand for these housing programs, waiting lists are common.
Affordable Housing programs provide below-market-rate apartment rentals to low-income households. Some of these apartment communities have waiting lists.
Can a felon pass the criminal background check for these housing programs? It depends on the type of offense on your record and how old it is.
Public Housing Authorities and Affordable Housing providers don’t automatically exclude felons from their programs but if your criminal record indicates you could be a risk to other residents or the property, you could be turned down.
Contact your PHA: https://www.hud.gov/oh
Find Affordable Housing providers: https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-search/Ohio and https://www.publichousing.com/
Second Chance Apartments In Ohio
For help finding felon friendly apartments in Ohio, contact a second chance apartment finder. 2nd apartment finders connect hard-to-place tenants with landlords willing to consider criminal records, evictions, and bad credit.
Second Chance Apartments: https://secondchanceapartments.com/
Second Chance Locators: https://secondchancelocators.com/
Related: Free grants for felons in Ohio.