Iowa Civil Rights Commission 1995/96 Community Testing Project Sioux Center Press Release

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.