Where do they go?
Anywhere but here is the answer for some parolees and probationers in 11 Utah cities with a Good Landlord program.
On Wednesday, Roy joined the growing list of communities participating in the program, which is aimed at encouraging responsible management of rental property.
But the Good Landlord program, which started first in Ogden in 2004, apparently has more and more felons singing the post-jail house blues. So much so the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah is considering a legal challenge to the program.
What's the fuss all about?
To become a good landlord and receive the reduced business fees that come with it, property owners, among other things, must agree not to rent to ex-cons.
Some Utah leaders believe the program has helped reduce crime in neighborhoods. But the ACLU's concern, in part, is about the effects on former offenders.
Take for example, Chris, a Roy resident who declined to give his full name but wanted to talk about the struggle to keep stable a family member who has a police record.
Standing on an Ogden street corner, Chris said he believes the rental program contributes to his brother's problems.
"My brother just keeps bouncing around, from one place to another," he said in frustration.
In Ogden, as in other cities, the program calls for landlords to run background checks and refuse to rent to applicants with certain criminal backgrounds.
In exchange, cities are allowed to reduce licensing fees if rental property managers sign up and follow the guidelines.
Utah Apartment Association Executive Director L. Paul Smith argues the program doesn't wipe out housing opportunities for former offenders.
"People tell us you can't rent in Ogden. Nonsense," Smith said. "There are lots of criminals renting in Ogden. Their landlords are paying higher fees, and it seems to be working."
The UAA has been involved since the inception of the program, helping teach courses required for landlords in the program.
Participating cities believe encouraging the elimination of code violations and public nuisances while controlling and preventing illegal activity on rental properties affect the quality of life and the cost of public services within neighborhoods, making the Good Landlord program a tempting addition.
Six of the 11 Good Landlord communities are in the Top of Utah. One of them is Clearfield.
"We are pleased with the program," said Chris Hillman, Clearfield city manager. "We feel it is accomplishing the goals."
A similar sentiment exists in Ogden, which touts on the city website that approximately 65 percent of Ogden rental units have qualified for the Good Landlord incentive since 2004, which means the property owners qualified for a 90 percent discount on their annual business license fees.
In the first year of the program, landlords who followed the guidelines also saw an 11.6 percent reduction in crime at their properties, according to the website.
Some landlords say the discounted license is difficult to pass up, even if they would normally consider renting to rehabilitated parolees.
Richard Brimhall, who has owned rental property in Ogden and North Ogden, also held leadership positions in the property management industry.
"If every city adopted the 'Good Landlord' program, eventually there would be no place for a fella to sleep," said Brimhall.
The problem for ex-cons is complicated by the lack of availability of halfway houses, and the type of convictions on their record.
For example, a sex offender is already restricted by Utah law as to where he or she can live. More than 6,500 people are on the current Utah sex offender registry.
All together, state prison officials estimate there are a combined 21,000 parolees or probationers in Utah.
Claytie Rawls, an Alabama native, has lived in Weber county for 10 years.
Rawls, 51, admits to a police record that ranges from assault to public intoxication.
Standing in front of the Ogden Municipal building, Rawls said it is difficult for him to know exactly why landlords or employers turn him down for jobs and housing.
But he knows his police record is something he must work to overcome as he tries to stay sober and clean up his life.
For now, he stays in one of the shelters.
"Everybody needs a place to lay their head," said Rawls, who gets help at the St. Anne's Center in Ogden. "I'm just living day to day."
There are Utah cities that have varied how they put the Good Landlord plan into place, putting less of an emphasis on denying felons a place to live.
But ACLU Legal Director Darcy Goddard believes that generally, the program sparks concerns at several levels, including its effect on those with criminal records.
"The whole program is problematic, from so many directions," said Goddard.
She said the ACLU concerns revolve around penalties for landlords who sign up for the program but fail to keep up with guidelines, varying cost for licenses, and possibly increasing the number of homeless as felons run out of housing options.
Goddard adds it's likely Ogden's program will be the focus of their legal challenge, should the ACLU file a case.
In the meantime, the program steadily attracts attention.
A 12th Utah city mulling over the program is North Ogden.
The city council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on business license fees, one of the elements which could factor into possible adoption of the program, should North Ogden choose to become a "Good Landlord" city.
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