Press Release from: IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10-16-95

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



Iowa Civil Rights Commission Conducts Housing Tests in Oelwein

On September 16, 1995 the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (Commission) conducted 14 housing tests in the City of Oelwein, Iowa. The tests showed 1 possible violation of state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

The Commission has tested 22 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.

In an on-site test a property owner told a tester with no children he advertised his 4 bedroom house as a 2 bedroom to keep numbers down. The owner stated, "I've been advertising it more as 2 down because I don't want too many in here." When a married tester with 2 children called to inquire about the house, the owner told the tester, That's probably more than we can really handle" and "...it wouldn't work out."

Iowa Code § 216.8(l) prohibits a landlord from refusing to rent to a person with children and Iowa Code § 216.8(2) prohibits a landlord from discriminating against a person with children in the terms or conditions of the rental.

When a city does not have an occupancy code regulating the number of people allowed in a rental property, state and federal regulations apply. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's current guidance requires a dwelling unit to have 150 square feet for the first occupant and 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.

The cities tested to date include Altoona, Anamosa, Ankeny, Cherokee, Clive, Coralville, Estherville, Grinnell, Independence, Indianola, Knoxville, Le Mars, Manchester, Maquoketa, Nevada, Oelwein, Sioux Center, Sioux City, Spencer, Storm Lake, Urbandale/Windsor Heights, and Vinton. The results so far indicate 71 possible violations out of 376 tests.