If you have an eviction on your record and you're looking for a place to live in Phoenix, Arizona, you're dealing with one of the toughest rental markets in the country — but you still have real options. So-called "second chance" apartments in the Phoenix area use more flexible screening than strict no-eviction policies, and the city itself has rolled out programs in 2026 that remove screening barriers for people with eviction history. Here's how to find them and what to expect.
What "Second Chance Apartments" Means in Phoenix
A second chance apartment is a regular rental home whose owner or manager reviews rental history more flexibly than an automatic denial. In Phoenix, that often means a property will consider applicants whose eviction is older than a set cutoff — commonly 12 months or more — or who can show the balance was paid, the judgment was settled, or circumstances have changed.
That flexibility is not the same as "no screening." Expect the application to still review income, credit, and rental history. The difference is that a single past eviction doesn't end the conversation.
Current Phoenix Examples Worth Knowing About
Alta Vista Village
Alta Vista Village is a Phoenix community frequently cited in 2026 second-chance listings. Its listings describe second-chance housing with consideration for evictions older than 12 months, an application-fee waiver, and promotions on selected homes. Water, sewer, and trash are included with the home, which simplifies the monthly budget. Verify the current terms directly with the community before applying, since promotions and screening cutoffs change.
The City's Master Lease Program (2026)
Phoenix's Office of Homeless Solutions is standing up a master lease program in the FY 2026-27 budget that leases 50 or more rental units directly from landlords, then subleases them to people exiting homelessness. The program is specifically designed to remove common screening barriers — prior evictions, credit gaps, and income instability. If you're working with a housing navigator, case manager, or shelter provider in Phoenix, ask whether you're eligible to be referred into this track.
Rental Locator Services
Phoenix has apartment locator services that specialize in matching renters with complicated histories to willing properties. Locators are typically free to the renter (they're paid by the property) and can save you dozens of wasted application fees. Before paying any locator a fee yourself, confirm how they're compensated.
How to Search for Second Chance Apartments in Phoenix
- Call before you apply. Ask the leasing office: "Do you have written criteria for applicants with an eviction history?" If they won't answer, that's a sign to move on rather than spend the application fee.
- Look at private owners, not just large complexes. Small multifamily owners and private landlords often have more discretion than corporate properties bound by national screening policies.
- Search weekly and monthly rentals as a bridge. Furnished weekly/monthly options in Phoenix can give you an address while you rebuild your rental history — just read the lease terms carefully and get everything in writing.
- Check 2ndchanceapartments.org and secondchancerentals.org. These nationwide directories maintain city-based second-chance apartment information, including Phoenix-area listings.
What Landlords in Phoenix Typically Require Anyway
| Typical requirement | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Eviction age cutoff | Many second-chance properties consider evictions older than 12 months; newer ones may need a paid judgment or payment plan |
| Higher deposit | Some properties ask for a larger security deposit when rental history is rough — ask if deposit-replacement options are accepted |
| Income verification | Most still require proof of income, commonly 2.5–3x the monthly rent; bring pay stubs or benefit letters |
| Written explanation | A short, honest letter explaining what happened and what's different now helps more than you'd expect |
Phoenix and Arizona Resources for Renters With Eviction History
- City of Phoenix Eviction Legal Services Program — free legal representation, mediation, and post-eviction services for Phoenix residents facing eviction, with income limits by household size. Details are on phoenix.gov.
- AZ Eviction Help (azevictionhelp.org) — published by the Arizona Bar Foundation, with information on tenant rights, legal aid, rental assistance, and help after an eviction.
- 211 Arizona — call 211 or visit 211arizona.org for rental assistance and eviction-prevention resources by area.
- Arizona Department of Housing — the state publishes county-level rental assistance resources at housing.az.gov.
- HUD Arizona — HUD housing counselors (call 800-569-4287) can help with renting, credit, and eviction issues; see hud.gov.
FAQ
Can I rent in Phoenix with an eviction less than a year old?
It's harder, but not impossible. Properties with a 12-month cutoff may still work with you if the balance is paid, you have a payment plan, or you can offer a larger deposit or a co-signer. Private landlords have the most discretion.
Do evictions in Arizona stay on my record forever?
Eviction filings and judgments typically appear on tenant screening reports for up to 7 years, but many landlords weigh recent history far more heavily than older cases. Time, paid balances, and a clean recent record all help.
Should I use a second-chance apartment locator in Phoenix?
They can save you real money in application fees by matching you only with properties that will consider your history. Just confirm they're free to you before you start — legitimate locators are paid by the property.
Note: This article is general information, not legal advice. Screening policies and assistance programs change often — verify program details and a property's current criteria before you apply.