Press Release from: IOWA CIVIL
RIGHTS COMMISSION
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6-19-95
Contact Person: Don Grove, Executive
Director, 515-281-8084
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
Conducts Housing Tests in Storm Lake
On June 8 and 9, 1995
the Iowa Civil Rights Commission conducted 24 housing tests in Storm Lake,
Iowa. 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. Five tests showed possible violations of state and federal
anti-discrimination laws.
In two cases the tester asked if she could make modifications to the rental
property to accommodate her husband's wheelchair. The tester stated that
she would do this at her own expense. When asked about installing a wheelchair
ramp one property owner stated "it wouldn't work too good." Another
property owner stated that he didn't think the house would work for the
tenant because of her husband's disability. Property owners and managers
should allow a tenant to judge if the property could be modified to accommodate
his or her disability. Fair Housing Law allows tenants to make modifications
to their rental units to accommodate their disability. These modifications
are done at the tenant's expense.
In a third case the property owner told the African American tester there
were 2 people ahead of her interested in the unit. He told the tester if
the other people didn't want the unit he would call her. When the white
tester viewed the property 15 minutes later, the property owner mentioned
the African American tester but did not mention anyone else being interested
in the property. The property owner told the white tester to call if interested
in the house.
In two additional cases the property owners indicated that children were
not welcome. In one test the property owner asked the tester if she had
any kids. The property owner stated that he did not want any kids at all.
The property owner went on to say that there wasn't any place for the kids
to play and the neighbors wanted quiet.