Starting Over in Lubbock: Second Chance Apartments and Employers That Consider Applicants With Felony Records

STARTING OVER IN LUBBOCK: SECOND CHANCE APARTMENTS AND COMPANIES THAT CONSIDER PEOPLE WITH FELONY RECORDS

Finding somewhere to live and a steady job can be difficult for anyone, but a felony conviction can make it feel like the sentence continues long after someone has completed their time.

The806er reviewed public rental requirements, employment policies and reentry resources to create a practical starting point for people rebuilding their lives in Lubbock.

It is important to understand that “second chance” does not guarantee approval. At one apartment, it may include criminal records. At another, it may only apply to bad credit, evictions or broken leases. Employers may consider applicants with convictions while restricting certain offenses from jobs involving money, driving, controlled substances, professional licenses, children or vulnerable adults.

Policies and availability change, so applicants should call before paying any fees and explain their circumstances honestly.

SECOND CHANCE APARTMENTS AND RENTAL COMPANIES

Grassano Properties

Grassano Properties is one of the clearest places to begin because the company has advertised available units as offering second chance leasing and publishes its rental qualification guidelines.

The guidelines state that felony crimes may result in automatic rejection when an applicant was convicted, placed on probation or received deferred adjudication within the previous eight years. The company also considers the seriousness and date of the offense and whether there is a recurring pattern.

That means Grassano may be a possible option for someone with an older conviction, but approval is not guaranteed.

Grassano manages the following Lubbock area communities:

Oakridge Apartment Homes 5321 South Loop 289 806 794 9393

Sagewood Apartments 5917 67th Street 806 794 9933

Southview Village 1745 74th Street 806 368 7705

Waterside Village 2310 70th Street 806 745 4762

Windmill Apartments 1305 West Woodrow Road in Slaton 806 828 3866

Applicants should ask which available units currently qualify for second chance leasing and request the latest rental requirements before applying.

Coldwell Banker Residential Property Management

Coldwell Banker Residential Property Management manages houses, duplexes and smaller apartment properties throughout Lubbock. The company has identified some homes as being part of its second chance leasing program.

Because participating addresses change based on availability, applicants should call and ask which current properties are included.

Coldwell Banker’s published tenant qualifications state that applications are evaluated across multiple categories and may sometimes be approved with modified conditions.

Current automatic denials include being registered as a sex offender, having a violent crime conviction or drug charge within the previous two years or having a domestic abuse conviction within the previous five years. Credit, income, evictions and previous rental history are also considered.

Contact the application team at 806 784 3271 or application@cblubbock.com.

Metro Tower Lofts and Condos

Public rental advertisements have promoted second chance leasing at Metro Tower Lofts and Condos in downtown Lubbock.

The property is located at 1220 Broadway Street and can be reached at 806 300 0496.

Metro Tower’s public website does not explain which criminal records may be accepted. Income restrictions may also apply to certain apartments. Applicants should ask whether second chance leasing includes their particular conviction before submitting an application.

StoneLake Apartment Homes

StoneLake Apartment Homes has also been promoted as offering second chance leasing.

The property is located at 7414 Elgin Avenue and can be reached at 806 745 6884.

StoneLake does not publish detailed criminal history requirements on its main website. Applicants should ask what the program covers, which convictions are excluded and whether an additional deposit or risk fee will be required.

Lubbock Housing Authority

The Lubbock Housing Authority is another option for eligible residents searching for affordable housing.

Federal housing guidance states that a felony conviction does not automatically ban someone from every public housing program. However, housing authorities still conduct background checks, and certain criminal histories can result in denial.

Waiting lists, income requirements and local admission policies also apply. Applicants should contact the Housing Authority directly and request its current criminal history policy.

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE PAYING AN APPLICATION FEE

Application fees can add up quickly. Before paying, ask the apartment manager these questions:

1. Does your second chance program include felony convictions, or does it only cover credit and rental problems? 2. Is the waiting period measured from the offense, conviction, release date or completion of probation or parole? 3. Which types of offenses result in automatic denial? 4. Do pending charges or deferred adjudication affect approval? 5. Can employment, landlord references, education, treatment or evidence of rehabilitation be considered? 6. Can I review the written tenant selection requirements before paying?

Applicants should consider bringing recent pay stubs, proof of employment, identification, landlord references, completion documents and certificates from training or treatment programs.

LUBBOCK EMPLOYERS THAT CONSIDER SECOND CHANCE APPLICANTS

People frequently search for “felon friendly jobs in Lubbock,” but no employer hires every person with a conviction for every position.

One of the strongest public signals is membership in the Second Chance Business Coalition. This organization includes major employers that have committed to expanding employment opportunities for people with criminal records.

The following companies have Lubbock operations or serve Lubbock job seekers and have participated in the coalition:

Walmart and Sam’s Club

Possible positions include stocking, merchandising, fulfillment, maintenance and customer service. Applicants can search through the official Walmart Careers website.

The Home Depot

Home Depot hires for freight, lot, cashier, sales, merchandising and warehouse related positions. Requirements may vary depending on the job and background.

Lowe’s

Lowe’s offers retail, stocking, merchandising, delivery support and warehouse positions in Lubbock.

Target

Possible opportunities include fulfillment, inbound freight, food service, guest service and sales floor positions.

Best Buy

Best Buy hires for sales, customer service, inventory, warehouse and product flow positions.

CVS Health

CVS offers store associate, inventory and customer service positions. Pharmacy and licensed jobs may carry additional restrictions.

Walgreens

Walgreens hires for customer service, inventory and store operations. Pharmacy positions may require licensing and additional background requirements.

AT&T

AT&T offers retail sales, technical and customer service positions. Hiring requirements can vary depending on access to customer information, equipment and company property.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s locations hire crew members, maintenance workers and management trainees. Many restaurants are independently owned, meaning hiring decisions can vary by franchise.

PepsiCo

PepsiCo offers warehouse, sales, delivery and equipment service positions. Driving jobs may have separate motor vehicle and insurance requirements.

Old Navy and Gap Inc.

Possible opportunities include retail sales, inventory, shipment processing and customer service.

Bank of America

Bank of America has publicly supported second chance employment, but banking positions can have additional legal and financial industry requirements.

JPMorgan Chase

Chase has also participated in second chance employment efforts. Requirements may vary for branch, customer service and financial operations positions.

Kelly Services

Kelly connects applicants with temporary, contract and permanent jobs. Approval may depend on both Kelly’s policies and the requirements of the company receiving the worker.

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

Texas Tech University deserves separate attention because its policy directly addresses applicants with criminal records.

Texas Tech’s criminal background check policy states that a criminal record does not automatically disqualify an applicant. Human Resources reviews results individually and considers how much time has passed, whether the offense relates to the position and the applicant’s overall history.

That does not guarantee employment. Security sensitive, licensed and law enforcement positions may have stricter requirements. However, Texas Tech employs people in facilities, groundskeeping, food service, office support, technology, maintenance and skilled trades.

HOW TO IMPROVE A JOB APPLICATION WITH A RECORD

Apply for the right position

Focus on jobs whose duties are not directly connected to the conviction. A theft conviction may create a larger obstacle for a cash handling job, while a driving conviction may matter more for a delivery position.

Answer exactly what the application asks

Do not lie, but read every question carefully. An application may only ask about certain convictions, offense categories or time periods. Answer the actual question accurately.

Prepare a short explanation

Applicants should be ready to explain what happened, confirm that all court requirements were completed and show what has changed since the conviction.

A response could say:

“I was convicted in 2018. I completed my sentence and supervision, and I have had no additional charges. Since then, I have maintained steady employment, completed forklift training and can provide two supervisors as references. I am ready to be dependable in this position.”

The explanation should show honesty, responsibility and stability without blaming other people or minimizing what happened.

Bring proof of progress

References from supervisors, work attendance records, trade certifications, training documents, treatment completion records and volunteer experience can help show an employer that progress is real.

Review the background report

Background reports sometimes contain mistakes, outdated information or duplicate records. If an employer makes a decision based on incorrect information, applicants should request a copy of the report and dispute the error with the company that produced it.

FREE LUBBOCK REENTRY AND EMPLOYMENT HELP

Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office Reentry Program

The Lubbock County Reentry Program connects people with employment, housing, emergency housing, sober living, identification documents and career development resources.

Call the reentry coordinator at 806 775 7065.

Goodwill Career Resource Center

Goodwill Industries of Northwest Texas provides free career services, job search assistance, skills development and connections to employers.

The Lubbock Career Resource Center is located at 6520 University Avenue, Suite 11. Call 806 744 0440 to confirm current hours and services.

Workforce Solutions South Plains

Workforce Solutions South Plains offers free job search assistance, WorkInTexas access, resume help, interview preparation, workshops and hiring events.

Record Clearing Assistance

Some Texas records may qualify for an expunction or order of nondisclosure, but eligibility depends on the individual case.

Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas and the Texas Fair Defense Project provide information and legal assistance for eligible Texans. Clearing or sealing an eligible record can make future housing and employment searches easier.

ONE REJECTION IS NOT THE FINAL ANSWER

A second chance does not mean avoiding normal responsibilities. Rent still has to be paid, and work still has to be done. It means someone is given an opportunity to show who they are today instead of being automatically judged by the worst moment in their past.

Start with these leads, call before paying, keep track of everyone you speak with and submit more than one application.

One property manager or employer saying no does not mean every door in Lubbock is closed.

If you know of a Lubbock apartment community, property manager, employer or nonprofit that should be included in this guide, contact The806er so the information can be independently verified before it is added.