I was homeless, can this get my rental application denied?

Submitted by ChemicalMistake- t3_zxmfxw in personalfinance

I was homeless for about 3 years. I have been staying with my grandparents for about 3 months now. I'm ready to get my first apartment. But while filling out applications I realized that I have a homeless shelter listed as my last address. I updated my address with a collection agency to be my grandparents recently, but my credit report never updated for some reason. Will this scare off landlords and property management groups even if everything else checks out? Will they even know it's a homeless shelter since all they'll be given is the address? I don't want them thinking I was a drug addict or something.

If it will be a problem, what excuse would you guys use to explain it?

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Lilith-1369 t1_j213glz wrote

You'd have to contact the credit bureaus if you want your address updated sooner. That's what we did before.

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SpiritualQuokka t1_j215bm3 wrote

>Will this scare off landlords and property management groups even if everything else checks out?

Maybe, unless your state includes being homeless or living in a shelter as a protected class for housing, they are free to deny your application for that reason.

>Will they even know it's a homeless shelter since all they'll be given is the address?

Probably. Maybe they won't care to check references or verify where you lived previously, but if they do, they will figure it out.

You are likely going to have a harder time finding housing because of your lack of rental history. Having a letter written that explains that you were homeless, you've taken XYZ steps to stabilize your situation and are now looking for your own housing can help. So can having a positive reference from the shelter or another case manager that you were a good resident, are working on stabilizing your situation, etc. If your community offers "Rent Well" courses or assistance to homeless individuals in finding housing, take advantage of it, they may have programs to educate and incentivize landlords, and supports for you.

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Common-Reporter2846 t1_j214ekr wrote

What is your location? Various countries/states/counties/cities have laws about this.

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ChemicalMistake- OP t1_j215ot6 wrote

I'm in the US, PA. Sorry. It's okay, I think the guy above answered my question. I figured as much. Luckily I have a great job and basically everything else is fine besides having no credit or rental history.

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Common-Reporter2846 t1_j216g7b wrote

Lack of rental history may be tough, BUT, you may be able to negotiate with your landlord. Most places require first and last month’s rent as a deposit, so if you fail to pay rent, they at least can take your deposit. If you can show your landlord you have a stable income, plus you pay that deposit, you should be fine.

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ChemicalMistake- OP t1_j216s05 wrote

That's great to hear! I've been employed for almost the last 3 year straight and I make 5-7x the rent when most places are only asking for 3x. So I'm praying. Best of luck to you and thanks for your time.

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