Some apartments are lenient with the credit report due to the economic hardship, but if you don't meet the minimum requirements, increasing the down payment might help.
Do that. And if they're able to accept the offer, make sure to ask the debt collector to remove all negative information from your credit records related to the settled debt. And have them put it in writing.
Once it passes seven years, it comes off your credit report. Unless you live in Rhode Island, it is beyond the statue of limitations, which means you can't be sued. The collection agency can still try to collect by calling but that's all. Just send them a "Cease Communications" letter.
Even though, it's still gonna show as a negative report due to collection. Unless you don't have any use for your credit score for the next 4 years then you can have it completely remove without paying a penny.
Dolores Park
Del Dotto Cave Winery, Napa
Land's End, San Francisco
Fenton's Creamery, Oakland
Monthly hustle
Pervert at the gym
"Order and Chaos" for iPhone (good for killing time)