Fair Housing Education


During this report period, July 1, 1992 through June 30, 1993, the Fair Housing educator, Jan Alderton, gave 46 formal presentations around Iowa to 1,689 people, plus unlimited audiences from numerous radio programs, newspaper interviews and television exposures. She distributed 1,463 Fair Housing packets which include 16 different items and are offered free of charge by the Commission.

She participated in numerous large group conferences such as a day-long Diversity Day at Storm lake High School, the fifth annual state Landlords Association two day meeting, various area landlord meetings, the Governor's Conference on Aging, the Iowa Newspaper Association state meeting, periodic large group Realtor seminars, sessions for Farmer's Home Administration housing project managers and a Girl Scout leader alumni recognition.

Along with basic provisions of the laws and practical applications of these provisions there were a number of new focuses for this year's Fair Housing educational activity:

• The 1992 Iowa legislature amended some of the provisions of Iowa's Fair Housing statutes so Iowa law would be substantially equivalent with federal law. Deleted were "members of the owner's family" for duplexes and housing within single dwellings of less than four rooms, and the roommate exception "when residents of both sexes must share a common bathroom on the same floor." There were also changes in case processing procedures.
  
• Even though the exceptions may apply to the housing being advertised, the exceptions may not be advertised either by the housing provider or the news media. There was considerable outreach to the major newspapers around the state educating the classified ad staffs on Fair Housing-Fair Advertising principles. The advise from the Commission is to "Describe the property; not the people." For instance, roommate ads should only specify "roommate desired for two bedroom apartment" with no indication of the kind of person (race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, presence of children, physical/mental disabflity) desired.
  
• The provisions of Iowa's Hate Crimes laws generate great interest and discussion partly because the expanded list of protected characteristics includes sexual orientation. The average Iowan generally is aware of, and abhors, Hate Crime violence against people of color but usually has had little personal involvement with known gay/lesbian people or issues. However, with increased media attention and the current willingness of gays and lesbians to "to come out," more persons are being forced to examine their attitudes and to address these prejudices and fears. Because Hate Crimes frequently occur in the area of housing, the Fair Housing educator encourages Iowans providing housing to be the most knowledgeable persons in their area regarding how to identify Hate Crimes, steps to follow if Hate Crimes occur, how a community can establish a climate that discourages Hate Crimes, and how to help victims of Hate Crimes. Since the majority of Hate Crimes are committed by young people, our youth especially need to be aware of the enhanced penalties for perpetrators of Hate Crimes.
  
• A growing problem in the area of housing is sexual harassment due to the increased numbers of young females parenting children alone. Since sex is protected in housing, sexual harassment is illegal. Sexual harassment is any kind of visual, verbal or physical activity of a sexual nature that is unwelcome or the request/demand for sexual favors in lieu of reduced rent, eviction or special favors.
  
• At each educational session, the Fair Housing educator walks participants through the new "1992 Iowa Fair Housing Guide" so they will be familiar with the book for future reference.
• The intent of Iowa law is clear. It is illegal to discriminate in the brokering of commercial property in Iowa. Iowa law chapter 216.8 states "housing, housing accommodations and real property." Real property includes undeveloped land, any building affixed to the land whether residential or commercial, and applies to governmental agencies also.

The Iowa Fair Housing Awareness project began April, 1988, for 18 months. This project included a day-long visit to each of Iowa's 99 county seats with the Fair Housing motor home. Fair Housing education to Iowans continued through Fair Housing Initiative and Incentive Program grants awarded to the Commission by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Total federal grant monies received by the Cornmission for Fair Housing education and outreach since 1988 equals $300,000.

Fair Housing Education: Five Year Totals

$76,000 Fair Housing Grant Awarded to the Commission 1993-94

The Commission submitted a Fair Housing Initiative Grant proposal in August 1992 to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. In December 1992, we were notified our grant proposal would be awarded in the amount of $76,000. We were waiting for the official paper work at the end of the fiscal year, June 1993.

This grant will allow the Commission to continue Fair Housing education and outreach around Iowa for another 13 months. Additional provisions of the grant are:

• develop and translate numerous housing materials into five southeast Asian dialects, Spanish and Braille or large type;
• provide and translate Fair Housing newspaper ads;
• translate provisions of Iowa's Hate Crimes legislation and continue Hate Crime education;
• develop materials with a positive focus regarding group homes for the disabled and developmentally challenged to counteract local resistance to these homes.

Other agencies cooperating with the Commission in the execution of these activities are Ixgal Services of Iowa. Bureau of Refugee Services, Division of Latino Affairs, Department of the Blind, Division of Persons with Disabilities, Department of Mental Healdi/Mental Retardation and AIDS Greater Des Moines.