Fair Housing Education
During this report period, July 1, 1992 through June 30, 1993, the Fair
Housing educator, Jan Alderton, gave 46 formal presentations around Iowa
to 1,689 people, plus unlimited audiences from numerous radio programs,
newspaper interviews and television exposures. She distributed 1,463 Fair
Housing packets which include 16 different items and are offered free of
charge by the Commission.
She participated in numerous large group conferences such as a day-long
Diversity Day at Storm lake High School, the fifth annual state Landlords
Association two day meeting, various area landlord meetings, the Governor's
Conference on Aging, the Iowa Newspaper Association state meeting, periodic
large group Realtor seminars, sessions for Farmer's Home Administration
housing project managers and a Girl Scout leader alumni recognition.
Along with basic provisions of the laws and practical applications of these
provisions there were a number of new focuses for this year's Fair
Housing educational activity:
- The 1992 Iowa legislature amended some of
the provisions of Iowa's Fair Housing statutes so Iowa law would be substantially
equivalent with federal law. Deleted were "members of the owner's
family" for duplexes and housing within single dwellings of less than
four rooms, and the roommate exception "when residents of both sexes
must share a common bathroom on the same floor." There were also changes
in case processing procedures.
- Even though the exceptions may apply to the
housing being advertised, the exceptions may not be advertised either by
the housing provider or the news media. There was considerable outreach
to the major newspapers around the state educating the classified ad staffs
on Fair Housing-Fair Advertising principles. The advise from the Commission
is to "Describe the property; not the people." For instance,
roommate ads should only specify "roommate desired for two bedroom apartment" with
no indication of the kind of person (race, color, creed, sex, religion,
national origin, presence of children, physical/mental disabflity) desired.
- The provisions of Iowa's Hate Crimes laws
generate great interest and discussion partly because the expanded list
of protected characteristics includes sexual orientation. The average Iowan
generally is aware of, and abhors, Hate Crime violence against people of
color but usually has had little personal involvement with known gay/lesbian
people or issues. However, with increased media attention and the current
willingness of gays and lesbians to "to come out," more persons
are being forced to examine their attitudes and to address these prejudices
and fears. Because Hate Crimes frequently occur in the area of housing,
the Fair Housing educator encourages Iowans providing housing to be the
most knowledgeable persons in their area regarding how to identify Hate
Crimes, steps to follow if Hate Crimes occur, how a community can establish
a climate that discourages Hate Crimes, and how to help victims of Hate
Crimes. Since the majority of Hate Crimes are committed by young people,
our youth especially need to be aware of the enhanced penalties for perpetrators
of Hate Crimes.
- A growing problem in the area of housing is
sexual harassment due to the increased numbers of young females parenting
children alone. Since sex is protected in housing, sexual harassment is
illegal. Sexual harassment is any kind of visual, verbal or physical activity
of a sexual nature that is unwelcome or the request/demand for sexual favors
in lieu of reduced rent, eviction or special favors.
- At each educational session, the Fair Housing
educator walks participants through the new "1992 Iowa Fair Housing
Guide" so they will be familiar with the book for future reference.
- The intent of Iowa law is clear. It is illegal
to discriminate in the brokering of commercial property in Iowa. Iowa law
chapter 216.8 states "housing, housing accommodations and real property."
Real property includes undeveloped land, any building affixed to the land
whether residential or commercial, and applies to governmental agencies
also.
The Iowa Fair Housing Awareness project began
April, 1988, for 18 months. This project included a day-long visit to each
of Iowa's 99 county seats with the Fair Housing motor home. Fair Housing
education to Iowans continued through Fair Housing Initiative and Incentive
Program grants awarded to the Commission by the United States Department
of Housing and Urban Development. Total federal grant monies received by
the Cornmission for Fair Housing education and outreach since 1988 equals
$300,000.
Fair Housing Education: Five Year
Totals
|
Presentations |
People |
Packets |
July 1, 1988-June 30, 1989 |
162 |
2378 |
- |
July 1, 1989-June 30, 1990 |
61 |
1962 |
2308* |
July 1, 1990-June 30, 1991 |
76 |
2889 |
1845 |
July 1, 1991-June 30, 1992 |
55 |
2947 |
2370 |
July 1, 1992-June 30, 1993 |
46 |
1689 |
1463 |
Totals |
400 |
11,865 |
8,986 |
* We began counting the distribution of
Fair Housing Packets on October 30, 1989
$76,000 Fair Housing
Grant Awarded to the Commission 1993-94
The Commission submitted a Fair Housing Initiative Grant proposal in August
1992 to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. In
December 1992, we were notified our grant proposal would be awarded in the
amount of $76,000. We were waiting for the official paper work at the end
of the fiscal year, June 1993.
This grant will allow the Commission to continue Fair Housing education
and outreach around Iowa for another 13 months. Additional provisions of
the grant are:
- develop and translate numerous housing materials
into five southeast Asian dialects, Spanish and Braille or large type;
- provide and translate Fair Housing newspaper
ads;
- translate provisions of Iowa's Hate Crimes
legislation and continue Hate Crime education;
- develop materials with a positive focus regarding
group homes for the disabled and developmentally challenged to counteract
local resistance to these homes.
Other agencies cooperating with the Commission in the execution of these
activities are Ixgal Services of Iowa. Bureau of Refugee Services, Division
of Latino Affairs, Department of the Blind, Division of Persons with Disabilities,
Department of Mental Healdi/Mental Retardation and AIDS Greater Des Moines.
1993 Annual
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