Press Release from: IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2-15-96

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

Iowa Civil Rights Commission Conducts Housing Tests in Algona

In December, 1995 and January 1996, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) conducted 19 housing tests in the City of Algona, Iowa and the surrounding community. The tests showed 4 possible violations of state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

The ICRC has tested 33 communities under the current testing program. The results so far indicate 113 possible violations out of 600 tests.

In these tests the ICRC evaluated whether race, presence of children or 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 one of race test the property manager told the White tester about a second apartment, which was larger and cheaper, that was available for rent but did not mention this apartment to the African American tester.

Another test conducted in Algona showed possible different treatment of the applicant because of the presence of children. In this test the property owner told a tester with a child that the apartment building was "adults only." Fair Housing law prohibits an owner from restricting children from an apartment complex or building unless the complex has met the Department of Housing and Urban Development's guidelines for housing for the elderly. The property in this test had not met the guidelines for housing for the elderly. The building was not targeting elderly persons as tenants, but simply excluding persons with children.

In an additional test a property owner advertised a 3 bedroom two story house as "suited to single person or couple." When a married tester with 2 daughters called about the property the property owner told the tester, "I don't think it would ever do."

Iowa Code § 216.8(l) prohibits a landlord from refusing to rent to persons with children and Iowa Code § 216.8(3) prohibits a landlord from discouraging persons with children from considering their property. Landlords should let prospective tenants decide if the property is suitable.

Landlords are also prohibited from setting occupancy standards stricter than the local city codes. If a city does not have an occupancy code, the rule is 2 people, per average sized sleeping room. The city of Algona does not have an occupancy code.