Press Release from: IOWA CIVIL
RIGHTS COMMISSION
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6-29-95
Contact Person: Don Grove, Executive Director, 515-281-8084
Iowa Civil Rights Commission Conducts Housing Tests in Sioux Center
On June 22 and 23, 1995 the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (Commission) conducted
12 housing tests in the City of Sioux Center, Iowa. The tests showed no
violations of state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
The Commission has tested 10 communities under the current testing program
and Sioux Center is the second community to show no violations. 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.
A familial status test would have the tester posing as a parent with 1 child
or a number of children. In all instances the landlord should allow the
prospective tenant to decide if the rental property is suitable., Local
zoning and housing ordinances determine the number of individuals allowed
in a unit. The general rule is to allow a single parent With I child in
a one bedroom apartment, and a couple With 2 children in a 2 bedroom apartment.
A disability test might have the tester asking if they could modify the
unit to accommodate their disability, such as adding a wheelchair ramp or
widening the doorways for easier access. Fair Housing Law allows a tenant
to make modifications to their rental unit to accommodate their disabilities.
These modifications are done at the tenant's expense. Property owners have
the responsibility to educate their property managers and representatives
as to the Fair Housing Laws.
The Commission has tested 10 cities, Ankeny, Altoona, Cherokee, Grinnell,
Knoxville, LeMars, Nevada, Sioux Center, Sioux City and Storm Lake with
a total of 153 tests. Possible violations of state and federal laws appeared
in 31 tests.