Press Release from: IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7-28-95

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




Iowa Civil Rights Commission Conducts Housing Tests in Estherville

On July 19 and 21, 1995 the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (Commission) conducted 11 housing tests in the City of Estherville, Iowa. The tests showed 2 possible violations of state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

The Commission has tested 13 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.

One test showed possible different treatment of the tester because of the presence of children. In one case the tester inquired about a two bedroom duplex for her spouse, herself and their two children. The owner said the duplex was "really not real big" and was ".. almost basically designed for college kids or something." The owner suggested the tester call about a house had seen in the paper. The owner gave the tester the number for the person she should call about the house and added "...I've been by this place and I think it's quite a bit bigger than what we have to offer." The owner did not tell the tester what the square footage of the duplex was. The rule is to allow 2 people per average sized bedroom. The owner's remarks could be interpreted as an attempt to discourage a family of four from renting his 2 bedroom duplex.

In one race test, a realtor told the African American tester about a one bedroom apartment he had for rent. The realtor did not mention any other property. When the White tester came by the realtor told him about a friend who had a 2 bedroom apartment for rent. The realtor called the friend and asked if the property was still available. When the realtor was told that it was, he gave the White tester directions to his friend's place.

The cities tested to date include Ankeny, Altoona, Cherokee, Clive, Coralville, Estherville, Grinnell, Knoxville, Le Mars, Nevada, Sioux Center, Sioux City, and Storm Lake. The results so far indicate 42 possible violations out of 229 tests.