Press Release from: IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5-19-95
Contact Person: Don Grovel
Executive Director, 515-281-8084
On May 11 and 12, 1995 the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (Commission) conducted
15 housing tests in the City of Cherokee, Iowa. The tests showed no violations
of state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
The Commission has tested 8 communities under the current testing program
and Cherokee is the first 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 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 an
unit. The general rule is to allow a single parent with 1 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 tenants
to make modifications to their rental units to accommodate their disability.
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's current testing program is funded by a Fair Housing Initiatives
Program grant awarded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
515-281-4121 / 1-800-457-4416