Press Release from: IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11-3-95

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

Iowa Civil Rights Commission Conducts Housing Tests in Des Moines

On August 31, September 1, September 19, and October 7, 1995, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (Commission) conducted 28 housing tests in the City of Des Moines, Iowa. The tests showed 11 possible violations of state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

The Commission has tested 27 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.

Several tests showed possible different treatment of applicants because of the presence of children. In one case the property manager of a condominium asked the tester if she had children and what their ages were. When the tester said she had a 4 and 5 year old the property manager stated, "[w]ell that's going to be a problem." The manger added, "they don't have children under 16. That's their rules I guess."

Several tests showed possible different treatment because of the race of the tester. In these tests an apartment complex was offering a move-in special. The leasing agents told the White testers about the move in special but failed to tell the African American tester about the special.

Several tests showed possible different treatment because of the disability of the tester. In one of these tests the tester inquired about making modifications to the house to allow access for his wheelchair. The owner told the tester, we just put in new doors. So I'm not sure if whether that's, I don't know about that." Fair Housing Law allows tenants to make modifications to their rental units, at their own expense, to accommodate their disability.

The cities tested to date include Altoona, Anamosa, Ankeny, Cherokee, Clive, Coralville, Creston, Decorah, Des Moines, Estherville, Grinnell, Independence, Indianola, Knoxville, Le Mars, Manchester, Maquoketa, Nevada, Oelwein, Sioux Center, Sioux City, Spencer, Storm Lake, Urbandale, Vinton, Waverly, and Windsor Heights. The results so far indicate 94 possible violations out of 470 tests.