Fair Housing Education
Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) - $55,000: In September 1990,
the Commission was awarded a one-year Fair Housing Assistance Program Incentive
Funds grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) in the amount of $55,000.
The activities funded included development of a Hate Crimes brochure and
poster, support for the Commission's legislative efforts to upgrade Iowa's
Fair Housing Law (Iowa Code 601A) to be substantially equivalent to Federal
Law Title VIII, additional Fair Housing training for Commission staff, conducting
housing audits and systemic investigations around the state, and presenting
a Fair Housing conference.
The Hate Crimes brochures and posters are being developed by the Commission.
The 1991 Iowa legislature amended Iowa Code 601A to comply with Federal
Law Title VIII and the Commission is waiting to hear if HUD recognizes Iowa's
law as substantially equivalent. Four members of the Commission staff received
additional Fair Housing training. The results of the housing audits and
systemic investigations are scheduled to be announced at the Fair Housing
conference to be held August 29, 1991, in Des Moines.
Twenty-seven areas in Iowa were tested for housing discrimination. Some
areas were chosen to be tested because of systemic problems-reactions to
residents who work in meat packing industries, conditions experienced by
migrant farm laborers, responses of Iowans to minorities-and others were
chosen for a cross-section of various sized Iowa communities.
The results of the tests disclosed that 53 percent of the
violations were because of familial status discrimination refusal
to consider families with children. Thirty-three percent were violations
because of national origin discrimination and 14 percent were
violations because of race, disability or sex discrimination.
Housing audits were conducted randomly. Test dates were set, and some of
the properties available on those dates were tested by trained testers.
Everyone tested was notified after the tests were conducted and the results
of their tests were explained. A followup letter was also sent that included
information about Fair Housing education to be offered in their area. Mediation
agreements were sent to those people whose tests caused the Commission concern
about their rental practices.
Mediation agreements are not complaints. The objective of this testing program
was to elicit voluntary compliance, understanding and acceptance of the
laws. The Commission desired to change behavior, attitudes and practices.
In some cases when the housing provider refused to cooperate, the Commission
initiated the filing of complaints.
The Commission tested the following areas: Oskaloosa, Ames, Fort Dodge,
Marshalltown, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Dubuque, Waterloo, Keokuk, Cedar
Rapids, Des Moines, Burlington, Iowa City, Perry, Storm Lake, Sioux City,
Tama, Grinnell, Hampton, Mason City, Winterset, Clarion, Williamsburg, Ottumwa,
Muscatine, Fort Madison and Shenandoah. During 1990, the Commission also
tested Decorah, Sheldon, Newton and Columbus Junction.
Fair Housing Incentive Program (FHIP) - $75,000: In January 1991,
the Commission was awarded a 13-month Fair Housing Initiatives Program Grant
from HUD in the amount of $75,000 to develop state, regional or local education
and outreach campaigns, including media campaigns, or other special efforts
including educating the general public and housing groups about fair housing
rights and obligations.
The activities funded included preparation of print, radio and television
media campaigns; developing a Fair Housing video text game; videotaping
Fair Housing education presentations in English, Spanish and Southeast Asian
dialects; designing Fair Housing resources for schools in three levels,
primary, middle school and high school; operating Fair Housing display/discussion
booths; presenting Fair Housing seminars and discussions; and reporting
coordinating activities to the National Fair Housing Equal Opportunity and
Fair Housing Alliance. At the time of this report, June 30, 1991, most of
these activities are being developed.
During the first six months of this grant the Fair Housing Specialist engaged
in a variety of Fair Housing activities. She offered 49 Fair Housing presentations
to 1,270 people and distributed 1, 1 18 Fair Housing packets. Since October
31, 1989, a total of 4,315 Fair Housing packets have been distributed. She
developed the 40-page "Iowa Fair Housing Guide 1990" and a "Fair
Housing Advertising in Iowa" booklet. She is an approved Realtor educator
for three hours of Continuing Education Units (CEU's) and critiqued three
Fair Housing Realtor correspondence courses for the Real Estate Licensing
Commission. She also executed the activities funded under the FHAP grant
and prepared a new FHIP grant application in June 1991 that the Commission
hopes will be awarded.
On-going Commitment to Fair Housing Education: The Commission has
an on-going commitment to provide Fair Housing education throughout Iowa.
Fair Housing inquiries to the Commission from both housing providers and
housing applicants continue to increase. Requests for Fair Housing materials
continue. The Commission believes more people are aware of Fair Housing
issues than at any time in history; however, media coverage of problems
in the state and the results of the Commission's testing programs verity
there is still more education needed to eliminate housing discrimination
in Iowa.