Fair Housing Laws

What Laws Protect You From Housing Discrimination?

Local: Many cities have local civil/human rights agencies prohibiting housing discrimination. Contact your local city hall for information.

State: The "Iowa Civil Rights Act" (Iowa Code 216) prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, mental disability, physical disability, and familial status (presence of children in the home).

Federal: The Federal Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits discrimination in housing because of race or color. The Civil Rights Act of 1968, Title VII, and the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1989 prohibit discrimination in housing because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, and familial status.

Familial status, or presence of children in the home, protects families with children under 18 years of age. Also protected are families seeking custody of a child or expecting the birth of a child. There is only a narrow exception to this part of the law: units designated as "housing for older persons."

Property owners are required by law to allow reasonable modifications to a property (at the tenant's expense) and to make reasonable accommodations in policies in order to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities.