[CIVIL. REG.,052796,0800]

Housing Tests

(Iowa Civil Rights Commission; 05/27/96; 0800)

IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION CONDUCTS HOUSING TESTS IN DENISON AND CARROLL

On February 21, 22, and 23, 1996, the Iowa. Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) conducted 10 housing tests in Denison and 18 in Carroll, Iowa. The ICRC found no violations of federal and State anti-discrimination laws.

Under the latest testing program funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the ICRC tested landlords and realtors in 51 Iowa communities to determine the nature and extent of housing discrimination in Iowa.

During the period, February 15, 1995 through April 30, 1996, the ICRC conducted 909 tests, found 136 possible violations of fair housing laws, and filed 41 commissioner complaints.

Under the "Iowa Civil Rights Act," Iowa's antidiscrimination law, a landlord cannot refuse to rent to persons because of race, sex, national origin, disability, religion, or familial status (the presence of persons under age 18 in the household). Also under the Act, landlords cannot discourage persons from making application or considering their rental property because of one of those protected personal characteristics.

The ICRC's purpose in testing is to educate and reform. Everyone tested is contacted and informed about the test and the test results. Persons who pass the tests are thanked for following the law and persons who do not pass are either counseled regarding the law or served with a complaint, depending on the seriousness of the violation.

The ICRC has recently published a new, 16-page Fair Housing Guide which is free upon request. For a copy, contact the ICRC's public education officer, Carol Leach, at 515-281-8354 or 1-800-457-4416 ext. 1-8354.

Persons seeking housing, as well as persons providing housing, need to know and understand their rights and responsibilities under the federal and State fair housing laws. The ICRC's new Fair Housing Guide explains the content of the fair housing laws by giving examples of situations that arise in housing transactions and by offering fair housing guidance.