Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
Des Moines area apartment buildings appear to be in compliance with laws requiring accessibility to people with disabilities, said a tester who is conducting a study for the Iowa Civil Rights Commission.
The tester asked to keep his name private for this story in Iowa Independent because he is using his personal identification as he requests to see rental properties. He will continue touring properties though August and doesn’t want to tip off prospective landlords. More than a dozen properties are being assessed, he said.
The purpose of the study is to ensure that housing options aren’t limited for people with disabilities and that they are able to find quality housing, he said.
“In general, it’s been good in terms of being in compliance. I think we’re going to find generally most places are complying,” he said.
The commission last month began studying the design and construction of rental property built since 2001. Notices were sent in advance to selected landlords and realtors advising them about the study, but they were not informed where or when the visits will take place. The identity of the person conducting the visits is also under wraps.
Ralph Rosenberg, executive director of the commission, said the study will help determine if further education and outreach is needed. The study is expected to be completed next month, and results will become public later this fall, he said.
“This is a learning tool,” he said. “We’re going to see if this works.”
Rosenberg said similar studies where testers’ identities are kept secret and they are sent out in public to determine whether discrimination is occurring are used occasionally in state and federal government.
Carolyn Helmlinger, president of both the Des Moines area association of realtors and of Coldwell Banker Mid-America Group, said the covert element of the study was not a concern.
“I think it’s great that the evaluation is happening,” she said. “This is a very important critical piece for everyone.”
She added: “A lot of people don’t like surprises, but if there’s nothing to hide, then it shouldn’t be a problem. For landlords who aren’t in compliance, I think it would be a wakeup call to have their properties in compliance.”
She said newer construction has stringent requirements but older properties might have “some opportunities to get their properties in compliance.”
Rosenberg said housing complaints where disabilities are cited represent a small number of complaints but is still a problem in the state.
The commission received 6,211 discrimination complaints between 2004 and 2006. Disability was named as the reason in 39 of 128 housing complaints, according to the commission’s 2006 report.
The tester said Fair Housing laws spell out how dwellings must be built in order to accommodate those with disabilities. For example, entrances and doorways must be wide enough to allow a person in a wheelchair to enter.
While on tour of the Des Moines properties, the tester noted the width of entrances and height of outlets. He also took photos of some of the properties, among other things.
“Sometimes I had a little tape measure and could quickly measure,” he said. “Sometimes they let you wander around.”
Rosenberg said two upcoming anniversaries make it a good time remind people about Fair Housing laws. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and the 20th anniversary of adding people with disabilities to the list of those protected against housing discrimination. For more information visit the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Web site at http://www.hud.gov/o…
“We use these types of anniversaries to remind people what the laws are,” Rosenberg said.
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