Press Release from: IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8-22-95

Contact Person: Don Grove, Executive Director, 515-281-8084



Iowa Civil Rights Commission Conducts Housing Tests in Maquoketa

On August 4 and 5, 1995 the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (Commission) conducted 18 housing tests in the City of Maquoketa, Iowa. The tests showed 7 possible violation of state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

The Commission has tested 16 communities under the current testing program. In these tests the Commission evaluated whether race, presence of children, and disability affected the availability of units, caused different treatment of applicants, or was the reason some applicants were discouraged from applying. The testers contacted landlords and realtors by phone and in person to inquire about the availability of housing.

Four tests showed possible different treatment of testers because of the presence of children. In one case the tester inquired about a two bedroom apartment for her husband, herself and their two children. The owner told the tester, "Gosh, I just don't think it will work for you. It's not big enough ... I just don't think it would be big enough. I just know somebody with two kids..." The owner also told the tester that he advertised his two bedroom apartment as a 1 bedroom to keep numbers of people down.

Since the City of Maquoketa does not have an occupancy code regulating the number of people allowed in a two bedroom apartment, state and federal regulations apply. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development current guidance requires a dwelling unit to have 150 square feet for the first occupant and a 100 square feet for each additional occupant. In addition the guidance requires sleeping rooms to contain 50 square feet for each occupant. Sleeping rooms may include bedrooms, as well as living rooms and dining rooms but do not include hallways, bathrooms, kitchens or closets. Under the HUD guidance a two bedroom apartment could accommodate a family of four.

Two tests showed stereotypical racial comments being made about African American testers. One manager commented that an African American tester would be OK because she looked clean. Another owner told an African American tester would not recognized by people in town.

The cities tested to date include Altoona, Anamosa, Ankeny, Cherokee, Clive, Coralville, Estherville, Grinnell, Knoxville, Le Mars, Maquoketa, Nevada, Sioux Center, Sioux City, Spencer and Storm Lake. The results so far indicate 51 possible violations out of 279 tests.