Finding housing for felons in Nevada is no easy task and we want to assure you that we understand your struggle. Every month we have dozens of people ask our organization for this information and as much as we wish we had a list of felon friendly apartments in Nevada, this information is too difficult to gather as we don’t have enough staff on hand to handle the task.With that being said, we’ve done the next best thing. Below is a list of organizations and resources in Nevada that will help you in your pursuit of felon friendly housing.
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Felon Friendly Apartments in Nevada
You don’t have to go it alone when you transition back into the mainstream, especially if you refer to the reentry listings for Nevada. These listing represent programs that have been compiled by the Jobs For Felons Hub site to assist felons in their search for transitional housing or job leads. Some of the listed programs are set up to help felons who need counseling help and substance abuse intervention.
Refer to the reentry programs that are listed to acclimate yourself to the mainstream and find housing or a job just that much quicker. You can refer to the list frequently and ask for support via the Jobs For Felons Hub site when searching for an apartment or job.
Seeking Transitional Housing or Drug Rehab in Nevada
Besides referring to the reentry programs for Nevada, you can also obtain transitional housing details by referring to the TransitionalHousing.org site. The website lists 5,500+ transitional housing sources and includes details about each residence. Many of the shelters have been established to help people suffering from alcohol and drug abuse problems. The housing can be obtained for two days up to two years.
Other Housing Leads for Nevada
Besides referencing the reentry listings that have been created by our site, you can also contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Nevada and on Craigslist. Housing authorities in Nebraska and HUD often work side-by-side to ensure people in need, including felons, obtain shelter.
HUD and local housing authorities work to connect felons with apartment communities so a match may be found. Felons can obtain a discount voucher from HUD to reduce his or her rent of his housing. The voucher is based on a felon’s means of support as it is compared against an area’s annual median income or AMI. In some cases, felons can receive their apartment for free. Subsidized housing can be a boon for a felon who has just been released.
Therefore, contact HUD immediately if you can do so. If you are a sex offender or produced and sold methamphetamine, however, HUD will not work with you. Instead, refer to your Department of Corrections (DOC) reentry program or a similar plan.
Don’t Go Near Large Apartment Communities
To obtain housing as a felon, it is better to apply to the reentry programs that are advocated by the JobForFelonsHub.com site. Stay far away from large apartment communities as they usually will reject an application from a felon. All tenant applications are reviewed and a background check is run. Therefore, you won’t get an apartment unless your felony is quite old (10+ years) and your charge was non-violent.
Check Out Your Own Criminal Background
Don’t begin performing a housing or job search until you review your criminal background. You can perform the check by following this link. The site only charges a minimal fee. Use the information to better explain your situation to housing authorities or transitional housing programs or use it to negotiate a lease with a potential landlord.
Why Felons Can Be Refused Housing in Nevada and the US
Felons are regularly refused housing because they are not part of a federal protected class. Unless your charge extends to a protected class, you usually will be turned down for rental housing, especially in large apartment complexes. Protected classes represent the biased reasons why a landlord does not rent to applicants. These biases are based on an applicant’s religion, ethnicity, family status, sex, race, or disability.
However, with that being said, if your felony was based on the use of illegal substances, which originated from a disability, then you are in your legal right to make sure the property manager understands. Therefore, in this case, you could rent an apartment as a protected class is related to the charge.
Property managers in Nevada and elsewhere in the US can legally discriminate against applicants who show a history of evictions and non-payments of rent or who have a poor credit score. If the reason for the discrimination is based more on prejudice than fact, then a landlord can get sued for rejecting a rental applicant.
Illegal Discrimination and Its Impact
Discrimination becomes an illegal practice then when a property manager refuses to rent to an applicant as the result of prejudice against race, ethnicity, sex, family status, disability or national origin. While the protected classes safeguard many people, felons are not included unless their charge is related, somehow, to the felon’s background or physical or mental health.
As a result, most felons are not okayed for rentals, especially if they apply to a big apartment complex. Felons will find little luck in renting these kinds of apartments as their background will prevent any go-ahead in this respect. Illegal discrimination is covered on NOLO online.
The Housing Law in Nevada and the US
Discrimination, when used to transact business and based on fact, is considered legal. When a property manager refuses to rent to people who are part of a federal protected class, then the manager can get in trouble and be sued by the applicant. Again, unless a felony covers one of the protected classes, a felon can be turned away for housing in Nevada and anywhere else in the US.
Arbitrary Unfairness
Per the US Fair Housing Act, landlords can deny rentals to felons as long as they follow legal standards. Therefore, they need to practice the rules established by the US Fair Housing Act and cannot decide against an applicant based on their race, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, sex or family status. The rental decision must not, in any way shape or form, be based on a landlord’s personal preferences.
While a property manager can check an applicant’s credit or review their record for evictions or non-payment of rent, he or she cannot extend their decision to one of the protected classes. Arbitrary discrimination is further explained by following this link.
Nevada Housing Authority
HUD in Nevada and area housing authorities assist felons in their rental needs. Both agencies work in collaboration to ensure that people in need can live in affordable and habitable housing. Again, contact the local HUD office in Nevada at the earliest possible date in case you may have to be included on a waiting list. If not, the agency can refer you to apartments that are move-in ready. HUD will not work with felons who have sex offense charges or who were charged and served time for the manufacture and sale of methamphetamine.
Nevada Apartment Listings on Craigslist
You can also gain housing leads by looking on Craigslist in Nevada. Simply click on this link and select the city or town where you wish to live. Then, click on the section at the top of the page that says “housing.” Narrow down your selections by including the rental range. Often, these listings are posted by entrepreneurs or small real estate investors. Therefore, they are easier to talk to and, many times, will not run a background check.
Reentry Programs in Nevada
Once again, you need to refer to the reentry listings for Nevada in order to make the transition into the mainstream easier. Use the data to help you find a job for transitional housing so you can eventually find a permanent residence.
Housing for Felons in Nevada: Organizations That Can Help
If you have a criminal record in Nevada, you know how hard it is to get approved for an apartment. Housing for felons in Nevada is few and far between, and it can be difficult to find one on your own.
Fortunately, there are several organizations that are sympathetic to the struggles of former felons like you.
The WestCare Foundation
The WestCare Foundation is a group of nonprofit organizations that provide a wide range of services to help ex-felons rejoin the community. It includes housing, counseling, treatment for substance abuse or mental health disorders, and other forms of support.
The Nevada CURE
The Nevada CURE is a group of people who work with former felons and their families. It offers support and information that can help them navigate the system and transition back into the community.
One of the many initiatives launched by the group is After Orange: Halfway Home. It offers transitional housing to women who have nowhere to turn to after being released from prison.
Not all former felons have friends or families who can offer a more permanent living situation. Without it, some may turn back to their old ways and risk going back to prison. The Nevada CURE provides many forms of support and services that can help prevent recidivism among female ex-felons.
The Northern Nevada Transitional Housing
The Northern Nevada Transitional Housing is jointly managed by the Nevada State Department of Corrections, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, and the Nevada State Public Works Division. It has been helping former felons make a seamless transition into the community for more than a decade.
It is currently home to over 100 men and women who were released from prison. All residents have access to vocational training, educational support, and a wide range of treatment services.
All these forms of support are authorized by the Department of Corrections and readily available in the community. It includes the pursuit of a high school diploma or higher education, or GED. If you are looking for housing for felons in Nevada, Northern Nevada Transitional Housing offers a great option.
The Nevada Religious Community
If you are a member of a Nevada community church, ask your pastor for help in locating housing or a job. You can also visit faith-based organizations when looking for a permanent home.
Referrals From Friends and Family
Referrals from friends and family can also be used to locate an apartment. Just make sure you apply for and sign the lease. Don’t allow a friend or family member to rent an apartment on your behalf. If your name is not on the agreement, you can get sued and/or evicted.
Additional Felon Housing Search Tips
The key to succeeding in a housing or job search is to dress professionally and stick to a routine during the process. Buy clothes that are professional-looking at your local thrift store. After all, in order to behave professionally, it does not hurt to look the part. Ask pertinent questions about the rental and present yourself in a business-like manner.
Always refer to the reentry listings that are featured for Nevada and developed by the JobsForFelonsHub.com site. You can make good use of them in getting back into the mainstream. After you have acquired an apartment, always stay focused on getting a job or keeping a job. Prove to others that you are a credible and reliable member of your community.
