Press Release from: IOWA
CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11-30-95
Contact Person: Don Grove,
Executive Director, 515-281- 8084
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
Conducts Housing Tests in Clear Lake
On October 26 and 27,
1995, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) conducted 37 housing tests
in the City of Clear Lake, Iowa and the surrounding community. The tests
showed 3 possible violations of state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
The ICRC has tested 29 communities under the current testing program. The
results so far indicate 101 possible violations out of 528 tests.
In these tests the ICRC 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.
One test conducted in the Clear Lake area showed possible different treatment
of the applicant because of the presence of children. In this test the tester
asked about a one bedroom apartment for herself and her daughter. When the
owner found out that the tester had a daughter he told the tester, "
[b] ecause there's a walkway, for the apartment that goes to the apartment
and there's a roof deck. And it's about a 15 foot drop if a child would
get loose and go off the roof deck. And it's just too hazardous." The
apartment building was later viewed by the tester and the staircase appeared
to be well built with railings all around.
In a second test a landlord told a married tester with 2 children that she
had a policy of limiting her 2 bedroom apartment to 2 persons.
Iowa Code § 216.8(l) prohibits a landlord from refusing to rent to
persons with children and Iowa Code § 216.8(3) prohibits a landlord
from discouraging persons with children from considering their property.
Landlords should let prospective tenants decide if the property is suitable.
Landlords are also prohibited from setting occupancy standards stricter
than the local city codes. If a city does not have an occupancy code, the
rule is 2 people per average sized sleeping room.
One test showed possible different treatment because of the disability of
the tester. In the test the tester inquired about installing a grabbar in
the shower. The person showing the apartment said she had "no idea"
if the tester could install a grabbar, the tester would have to check with
the owner. Fair Housing Law allows tenants to make modifications to their
rental units, at their own expense, to accommodate their disability. Owners
have the responsibility to educate their property managers regarding Fair
Housing Laws.