NOT FOR RENT | Full Documentary | Housing Barriers for Ex-Felons in America

NOT FOR RENT is a powerful investigative documentary that explores one of the most overlooked social issues in America: the struggle former inmates face when trying to find a place to live.

Every year, millions of people are released from prison and attempt to rebuild their lives. Yet for many, a criminal record becomes a permanent barrier—especially when it comes to housing. NOT FOR RENT reveals how strict rental policies, background checks, and community resistance leave countless individuals locked out of stable housing, often pushing them toward homelessness and recidivism.

Directed by Matt Duhamel, an ex-inmate with firsthand experience, the film offers a deeply personal and unfiltered look at the realities faced by people attempting to reintegrate into society.

Through intimate interviews and real-life stories, the documentary follows individuals navigating a system that often refuses to give them a second chance:

• Mike, a registered sex offender living in a tent at a local ravine, struggling with prejudice and rejection from his community.
• Shayenne and James, parents raising two young daughters while trying to recover from a past drug-related felony conviction.
• Tonia, a disabled woman confronting constant rejection from landlords due to an old felony record.

Their stories expose the difficult question at the heart of the film:

Does society truly allow people to rebuild their lives after prison?

The film also examines Utah’s controversial Good Landlord Program, which attempts to balance community safety with housing access for former offenders—while critics argue it unfairly blocks ex-felons from rebuilding their lives.

With insight from academics, policymakers, and advocates, NOT FOR RENT shines a light on the human consequences of housing discrimination and the broader impact it has on communities across America.

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Featured Participants

• Kipling D. Williams – Professor of Psychology, Purdue University
• Brian S. King – Member of the Utah House of Representatives
• Dr. Monica Williams – Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Weber State University
• Molly Prince – Licensed Therapist and Criminal Justice Reform Advocate
• Anna Brower – Strategic Communications Manager, ACLU of Utah
• Dr. Eric Wesselman – Department of Psychology, Illinois State University
• Stephen H. Bahr – Professor of Sociology, Brigham Young University
• Mark Johnson – Chief Administrative Officer, Ogden, Utah

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Directed by: Matt Duhamel
Year: 2017
Runtime: 67 minutes
Language: English

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This eye-opening documentary challenges viewers to reconsider how society treats those trying to start over.

Everyone deserves a place to live… or do they?

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