Shelter (2017): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2017, Shelter is a documentary film, running about 70 minutes. “For the first time in close to a decade, chronic homelessness is on the rise in America. With affordable housing facing a crunch, it's harder than ever for young families to cope. Still, some” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. At the Covenant House, located on the outskirts of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana, the doors never close, and there is always room for one more. On any given day, a constant stream of young people carrying everything they own in plastic garbage bags fills the courtyard. The prospective residents are just teenagers, but have already been labeled drug addicts, schizophrenics, criminals and outcasts. As one staff member puts it, “the most damaged population of youth that exists in society today”. Filming over the course of a full year, brothers Brent and Craig Renaud tell the raw and emotional stories of the incredible kids who seek shelter at the Covenant House, and the staff struggling to work miracles everyday on their behalf.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Shelter page.

If you liked it. Fans of Shelter tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.