HomeMy WebLinkAbout4 16 19AGENDA
Human Rights Commission (HRC)
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
5:30 P.M.
City Hall, Helling Conference Room
410 E. Washington Street, Iowa City
1.Call Meeting to Order and Roll Call.
2.Approval of the March 19, 2019 minutes.
3.Public Comment of Items not on the Agenda. (Commentators shall address the
Commission for no more than 5 minutes. Commissioners shall not engage in discussion
with the public concerning said items).
4.Items to be discussed:
a.Quarterly Update from Library Director, Elsworth Carman.
b.Quarterly Update from Police Chief, Jody Matherly.
c.Funding Request: Iowa Chinese Association: An Evening of Chinese Performing
Arts.
d.Youth Awards (May 8).
e.Committees: Public Safety; Education; Community Outreach; Housing.
f.Correspondence.
5.Updates/Reports:
a.Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant Work Session to be held on May 15 at
5:30.
6.Staff/Commission Announcements. (Commissioners shall not engage in discussion with
one another concerning said announcements).
7.Comments of Staff.
8.Adjournment.
If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in this meeting please contact
the Equity Director, Stefanie Bowers, at 319-356-5022 or at stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org.
Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
Draft minutes of March 19, 2019
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
March 19, 2019
Helling Conference Room, City Hall
1
Members Present: Jeff Falk, Cathy McGinnis, Bijou Maliabo, Jessica Ferdig, Barbara
Kutzko, Tahuanty Peña, Adil Adams, Jonathon Muñoz.
Members Absent: Noemi Ford.
Others Present: Andrea Cohen.
Staff Present: Stefanie Bowers.
Recommendation to Council: No.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM.
Approval of February 19, 2019 Meeting Minutes: Kutzko moved to approve the
minutes; the motion was seconded by Falk. A vote was taken, and the motion passed 5-
0. (Peña abstained) (Maliabo, Muñoz not present).
Funding Request for Archibald Alexander Elementary PTO: This is a funding
request to offset the cost of the first annual Father-Daughter, Mother-Son Night at
Alexander Elementary School.
To date, the Commission has supported community funding in the amount of $1,106.00
for fiscal year 2019. Kutzko moved to approve $200.00 for this request, the motion was
amended by Adams to $250.00, Peña seconded. Commissioners discussed whether
the event was exclusionary, but then noted that it was open to all according to the
application. They also inquired as to whether the funding the group requested from
another City department was granted. The PTO is doing the event in conjunction with
the South District Neighborhood Association (SDNA) and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. The
SDNA received funding through the Social Justice and Racial Equity grant for fiscal year
2019.
Muñoz made a friendly amendment to fund at $150 to cover the price for food per the
budget submitted with the request, McGinnis seconded. The motion passed 7-1 (Adams
in the negative).
Proclamations: Two proclamations have been submitted for the Council meeting of
April 2, Iowa Marriage Equality Day (April 3) and National Fair Housing Month (April).
Peña will accept both on behalf of the Commission at the Council meeting.
Strategic Plan and Committee Updates: There are four committees that assist in
advancing the strategic plan. The four committees are Housing (*Falk, Adams, Peña);
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
March 19, 2019
Helling Conference Room, City Hall
2
Public Safety (*McGinnis, Maliabo); Education (Falk, Kutzko); and Community Outreach
(*Adams, Falk, Muñoz). Asterisks designates chairs of the committees.
Housing Committee has not been active aside from a couple of affordable housing
advocates that came to talk to the Commission about area programs.
Cohen did the update for Public Safety. Cohen has been working with the committee on
hate speech that is occurring in Iowa City. Cohen would like to create a data base of
hate speech occurrences in Iowa City to assist with identifying individuals/groups doing
it and to track trends.
Cohen has met with the University of Iowa Dean of Students, Resident Assistance
Coordinator, and the Director of Women’s Resource and Action Center. Cohen would
like to see the University conduct how to respond to hate speech trainings for students.
The trainings should include role playing so that students would know how to respond
when it happens to them. Ideally, she would like to see a community toolkit that would
borrow from resources across the country. The toolkit would include what to do if it
happens to you and mechanisms to handle and deal with the trauma that it inflicts.
Education Committee is meeting later this evening.
Community/Outreach Committee has nothing new to report.
Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant: On May 15 the Commission will hold a work
session that allows feedback from the public on the grant process. All the groups who
submitted applications for fiscal year 2019 will be invited to come and provide feedback.
A few Commissioners feel that a listening post may be preferred over a work session to
make the feedback process less formal and perhaps more candid. Feedback from
surveys on the process have been sent to applicants and 10 have been received to
date. The need for an actual work session is perhaps a way to get some information
that comes from how someone is talking about the process versus a statement in a
survey.
Commissioners also need to think of the procedure that will be followed at the work
session. To make it productive and allow all who wish to speak to have that option.
This will be discussed at the April Commission meeting.
Youth Awards:
The event will be May 8 at The Englert. The Mayor will deliver brief remarks. Peña will
deliver the welcome, Muñoz the presentation, Ferdig will distribute the awards, and
Kutzko will deliver the closing.
Draft Minutes
Human Rights Commission
March 19, 2019
Helling Conference Room, City Hall
3
Reports of Commissioners:
Malibo spoke on an incident she had at her daughter’s school that involved derogatory
remarks made towards her by another parent.
Muñoz mentioned that the League of United Latin American Citizens 308 will be
sponsoring a Lotería Night at The Mill as part of a fundraiser on March 31.
Ferdig is assisting on the planning for the 3rd Annual Science of Health Equity Summit
being held on April 4, at the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health Building.
Peña recently participated in a meeting with a member of the Housing and Community
Development Commission. The discussion centered around ways the two Commissions
can work together to avoid funding the same organizations within the same grant
cycles.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 6:58 PM.
4
Member Attendance Sheet
KEY: X = Present
O = Absent
O/E = Absent/Excused
NM = No meeting
--- = Not a Member
Member Term
Exp.
1/8 1/24 2/19 3/19 4/16 5/21 6/18 7/16 8/20 9/17 10/15 11/19 12/10
Maliabo 1/2021 Present Present Present Present
McGinnis 1/2021 Present Present Present Present
Muñoz 1/2021 Excused Present Present Present
Kutzko 1/2020 Present Present Present Present
Falk 1/2020 Present Present Present Present
Peña 1/2020 Present Present Excused Present
Adams 1/2022 Excused Present Present Present
Ferdig 1/2022 Present Present Present Present
Ford 1/2022 Present Excused Present Excused
Funding Request
Human Rights Funding Request
Cover Letter (required reading)
Thank you for your interest in seeking sponsorship from the Iowa City Human Rights Commission. The Commission
provides funding to organizations and agencies to offset the costs of organizing, planning, and facilitating educational
public forums or programs and activities that are designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural, and other intergroup
tensions, including but not limited to, sex, color, creed, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age,
and national origin.
To process your request for sponsorship, we need you to take a few minutes to fill out the attached application form.
Please note sponsorship requests are due by 5 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. The Iowa City Human Rights
Commission will review the request at their monthly meeting and staff will contact you to let you know whether the
request has been approved. If you are awarded funding, you will be required to submit a full (one page) summary of
funding impact, including but not limited to, number of persons involved in your project, anecdotal stories to share with
the team about the event, frequency of the event, and other essential information. Reporting instructions for full
reimbursement of funds are attached to this document.
If you have any questions about the application process, please do not hesitate to contact Equity Director Stefanie Bowers
at 319-356-5022 or Stefanie-bowers@iowa-city.org.
Please sign here to verify you have read the cover letter to this form.*
Application
Date*
Group/Organizaton Name *
Contact person*
Phone number*
Email*
Date of activity/event/program*
If your event occurs on multiple dates, list here
Event location and address*
Is the event wheelchair accessible?*
Is the event accessible to individuals with visual impairments?*
Describe the activity/event/program and how it contributes to Human Rights.*
Amount of funds requested. Attach an itemized budget (field below).*
Attach itemized budget.*
List other funders below:
Has this organization applied for any other City of Iowa City funding for this activity/event/program?
3/21/2019
Iowa City Chinese Association
Suyun Channon
319-471-5938
iowacity.iccs@gmail.com
5/6/2019
Recital Hall, Voxman Music Building 93 E Burlington St, Iowa
City, IA 52242
Yes
No
Yes
No
An Evening of Chinese Performing Arts
Performing arts professionals and amateurs from the local Chinese community will be
showcasing their culture, musical talents, dance, and more. The public is invited to attend
and no tickets are required.
This event contributes to Human Rights by demonstrating the diversity and inclusion of the
Iowa City area community. Event attendees will have an opportunity to experience Chinese
culture and arts, and learn more about the local Chinese community.
500.00$
Itemized budget.docx 11.42KB
Yes
No
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
How much funding was requested?
Was this request granted?
Has the organization received any funding from the City of Iowa City in the last year?*
If yes, what department were the funds requested through?
How much funding was requested?
How will this activity/event/program be marketed?
Will sponsors be mentioned and/or logos be used in the marketing of the activity/event/program?
Is the activity/event/program a fundraiser?*
$
Yes
No
Yes
No
$
This event will be marketed via posters, social media, and email invitations.
Yes
No
Yes
No
Graphic design $200
Poster printing $150
Food and drinks $150
April Social Justice and Racial Equity Reports FY18
SJRE Grant Report April 2019
Shelter House has continued to make strides to expand the Social Engagement and
Healthy Living Initiative for the Fairweather Lodge since the previous report for the Social
Justice and Racial Equity Grant. We have maintained all former relationships, which individuals
can benefit from the activities our partners offer as participant’s transition into the program.
As mentioned in the previous grant report, the funding has been utilized to send two
members to a peer support specialist training. One of these members currently resides in a
Fairweather Lodge graduate house, allowing them to apply the skills they learned at the training
in their every day interactions with their housemates. This individual is also employed in a
janitorial position at Cross Park Place, Shelter House’s new housing first project for individuals
who are chronically homeless and high service utilizer. Through providing a peer support
specialist, individuals residing across Shelter House’s permanent supportive housing programs
will be able to utilize a resource with lived experience.
One of the primary coping mechanisms the Fairweather Lodge promotes is through art
therapy. The program has ongoing relationships with Renee’s Ceramic Café, Brush & Barrel,
and the Iowa Ceramic Center and Glass Studio, which enables the members to attend workshops
and create individual pieces to express themselves. The Fairweather Lodge also uses funding to
cover supplies for artwork to be done as a group at home as well. Art therapy has proven to be a
very beneficial element to the members of the Lodge program. For example, one member opened
their own Etsy shop to sell items they create, and two others have had their artwork showcased at
Film Scene for an exhibition. This exhibition provided the artists an opportunity for them to
make more connections with other artisans in the community, as well as provided a space for
them to sell their pieces. Having the exhibition take place at Film Scene has allowed the
Fairweather Lodge to develop a stronger relationship with this local business.
In order to encourage cultural experiences, the Fairweather Lodge has continued to
support the independent films shown at Film Scene, as well as attend local museums such as the
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, Antique Car Museum of Iowa, the National
Motorcycle Museum, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, and the Cedar Rapids Czech and Slovak
Museum. The Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant has enabled the Fairweather Lodge to visit
these various institutions as part of programing by allowing us to cover transportation costs and
admission fees to the exhibits. These experiences are especially valued by the members of the
Fairweather Lodge, because despite the fact that some have been residing in the surrounding
communities, many have not had the opportunity to visit them beforehand.
After having a member perform in “This Is My Brave”, a show that features true stories
about people’s experiences with mental illness and is told through creative expression, the
Fairweather Lodge is continuing to support the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) by
utilizing services from R Place Peer Center, and attending the annual NAMI walk this spring.
Without the Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant, it would likely not be feasible to provide
transportation for the members to participate in these events.
The Fairweather Lodge also promotes healthy activities by continuing to attend and
transport members to weekly sessions at Friendship Yoga, visit the Robert E. Lee recreation
center, and bowl at Colonial Lanes. These activities all get the members physically engaged to
advocate for healthier lifestyles. Funding from the Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant will
also be used to purchase seeds, tools and other supplies for a gardening group this spring and
summer. There has been a gardening group in previous years, however, this year the funding will
also allow us to plant fruit bearing trees. Having gardening group has proven to be successful in
the Fairweather Lodge because it gets the members active outdoors, teaches them how to grow
their own food, and allows them to develop a healthier diet as they have access to incorporate
more fruits and vegetables. Access to healthy food is vital for the members of the Fairweather
Lodge, which is also why we use funding to provide transportation to CommUnity Crisis
Services to access the food bank, as well as the grocery store.
In a recent survey distributed to the active members of the Fairweather Lodge program,
100% reported they were satisfied with the social outings provided by the Fairweather Lodge,
have made stronger social connections with peers, and have learned different skills to better cope
with the challenges they face. Over the past five months, the program has averaged five activities
per month sponsored by the Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant. We predict this number will
rise once again this spring and summer. It is important to note, however, that the Fairweather
Lodge is stretching the funds beyond what was expected by surpassing the goal of three activities
per month as stated in the application. Furthermore, data has found that prior to receiving the
Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant, the average length of stay for members was 84.9 days.
Since being awarded the grant, the average length of stay has increased to 93.2 days, while also
receiving an increase in the amount of applicants accepted. Recognizing this information, it is
clear the Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant has profoundly impacted the Fairweather
Lodge’s Social Engagement and Healthy Living Initiative in ways that would not have been
possible without it.
Type Date Num Name Memo Class Amount
62800 · Utilities & Facility
62870 · Program supplies
Bill 04/24/2018 Shea Velez-West... Lodge Grant-Activities 28.00
Credit Card Charge 04/30/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 10.00
Credit Card Charge 04/30/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 60.00
Credit Card Charge 04/30/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 49.00Credit Card Charge 04/30/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 50.00
Bill 05/30/2018 Mary Lou Mayfield Lodge Grant-Activities 31.79
Credit Card Charge 05/31/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 20.00
Credit Card Charge 05/31/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 50.00
Credit Card Charge 05/31/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 60.00
Credit Card Charge 07/16/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 20.00Credit Card Charge 07/16/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 60.00
Credit Card Charge 07/16/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 25.00
Credit Card Charge 07/16/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 9.00
Credit Card Charge 07/31/2018 Visa Group Activity Supplies Lodge Grant-Activities 6.42
Credit Card Charge 08/26/2018 Worms Lodge Grant-Activities 2.92
Credit Card Charge 08/26/2018 Activities Supplies Lodge Grant-Activities 56.73
Credit Card Charge 09/24/2018 Erin S.Activitiy- Iowa Farm Sanctyart Lodge Grant-Activities 100.00
Credit Card Charge 10/02/2018 Erin S.Activity - Sycamore cinema Lodge Grant-Activities 25.00
Credit Card Charge 10/08/2018 Erin S.Activity - Colonial lanes Lodge Grant-Activities 56.00
Credit Card Charge 10/16/2018 Erin S.Activity - Wilsons Apple Orchard Lodge Grant-Activities 5.75
Credit Card Charge 10/16/2018 Erin S.Activity - Wilsons Apple Orchard Lodge Grant-Activities 24.75
Credit Card Charge 10/18/2018 Erin S. Walmart - Returned keys Lodge Grant-Activities 26.05
Credit Card Charge 10/22/2018 Erin S.Activity - Renees Ceramic café Lodge Grant-Activities 40.00
Credit Card Charge 10/23/2018 Erin S.Activity - Film Scene Lodge Grant-Activities 26.00
Credit Card Charge 10/30/2018 Erin S. Sycamore Cinema Lodge Grant-Activities 15.00
Credit Card Charge 11/06/2018 Erin S. PayPal - Johnson County Historical Ce... Lodge Grant-Activities 30.00
Credit Card Charge 11/20/2018 Erin S.Iowa Ceramics Center Lodge Grant-Activities 50.00
Credit Card Charge 11/30/2018 Erin S. Brush and Barrel - Activity Lodge Grant-Activities 50.00
Credit Card Charge 12/03/2018 Erin S. Colonial Lanes - Activity Lodge Grant-Activities 24.00Credit Card Charge 12/04/2018 Erin S. Marcus Sycamore Cine - Activity Lodge Grant-Activities 20.00
Credit Card Charge 12/11/2018 Erin S. Brush and Barrel - Activity Lodge Grant-Activities 60.00
Credit Card Charge 12/12/2018 Erin S. Filmscene - Activity Lodge Grant-Activities 19.50
Credit Card Charge 12/17/2018 Erin S. Renees Ceramic - Activity Lodge Grant-Activities 50.00
Credit Card Charge 12/18/2018 Erin S. Marcus Sycamore Cine - Activity Lodge Grant-Activities 25.00
Credit Card Charge 12/19/2018 Erin S. Cedar Rapids Museum - Activity Lodge Grant-Activities 35.00Credit Card Charge 01/08/2019 Erin S. Marcus Sycamore - Activity Lodge Grant-Activities 20.00
Credit Card Charge 01/09/2019 Erin S. National Motorcycle museum Lodge Grant-Activities 10.00
Credit Card Charge 01/15/2019 Erin S. Marcus Sycamore - Activity Lodge Grant-Activities 25.00
Total 62870 · Program supplies 1,275.91
Total 62800 · Utilities & Facility 1,275.91
63000 · Direct resident services
63020 · Client outreach expense
Credit Card Charge 07/31/2018 Visa FWL Activity for Training - Bush & Barrel Lodge Grant-Activities 60.00
Credit Card Charge 08/26/2018 Iowa Ceramic Center Lodge Grant-Activities 60.00
Credit Card Charge 08/26/2018 CR Parks & Rec Lodge Grant-Activities 24.00
Credit Card Charge 08/26/2018 Colonial lanes Lodge Grant-Activities 32.00
Credit Card Charge 08/26/2018 Cinema Lodge Grant-Activities 25.00
Credit Card Charge 08/26/2018 Beadology Lodge Grant-Activities 45.00
Total 63020 · Client outreach expense 246.00
63060 · Client transportation
Credit Card Charge 08/26/2018 IC Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 1.00
Credit Card Charge 08/26/2018 IC Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 1.50
Credit Card Charge 11/07/2018 Erin S. Casey Store 2781 - Gas Lodge Grant-Activities 46.00
Credit Card Charge 11/14/2018 Erin S. Casey Store 2781 - Gas Lodge Grant-Activities 36.50Credit Card Charge 12/07/2018 Erin S. Casey Store #2781 - Gas Lodge Grant-Activities 39.34
Total 63060 · Client transportation 124.34
Total 63000 · Direct resident services 370.34
65000 · HR, Fundraising, Office & Admin
65030 · Events & fundraising expense
Credit Card Charge 08/30/2018 Erin S. Client Activity - Renees Ceramic Lodge Grant-Activities 50.00
Credit Card Charge 09/04/2018 Erin S.Activitiy- Filmscene Lodge Grant-Activities 32.50
Total 65030 · Events & fundraising expense 82.50
1:58 PM Shelter House
03/14/19 Fairweather Lodge Activities Grant
Accrual Basis April 1, 2018 through March 14, 2019
Page 1
Type Date Num Name Memo Class Amount
65080 · Travel/Fuel/Parking
Bill 04/24/2018 Jason Brown Lodge Grant-Activities 80.95
Credit Card Charge 04/30/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 2.00
Credit Card Charge 04/30/2018 Lodge Grant-Activities 447.95
Credit Card Charge 08/26/2018 IC Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 0.75
Credit Card Charge 08/29/2018 Erin S. Parking - IA City Lodge Grant-Activities 0.75
Credit Card Charge 10/02/2018 Erin S. Parking - IA City onstreet Lodge Grant-Activities 0.75
Credit Card Charge 10/10/2018 Erin S. Parking- IA City onstreet Lodge Grant-Activities 0.75
Credit Card Charge 10/17/2018 Erin S. Parking - IA City onstreet Lodge Grant-Activities 0.75
Credit Card Charge 10/23/2018 Erin S. Parking - IA City onstreet Lodge Grant-Activities 0.75
Credit Card Charge 10/30/2018 Erin S. UI Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 1.80
Credit Card Charge 11/07/2018 Erin S. IA City Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 0.75
Credit Card Charge 11/13/2018 Erin S. IA City Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 1.50Credit Card Charge 12/06/2018 Erin S. IA City Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 1.50
Credit Card Charge 12/07/2018 Erin S. UI Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 1.80
Credit Card Charge 12/11/2018 Erin S. IA City Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 1.50
Credit Card Charge 12/12/2018 Erin S. IA City Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 2.00
Credit Card Charge 01/07/2019 Erin S. IA City Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 1.50
Credit Card Charge 01/17/2019 Erin S. IA City Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 1.50Credit Card Charge 01/24/2019 Erin S. IA City Parking Lodge Grant-Activities 1.50
Total 65080 · Travel/Fuel/Parking 550.75
Total 65000 · HR, Fundraising, Office & Admin 633.25
TOTAL 2,279.50
1:58 PM Shelter House
03/14/19 Fairweather Lodge Activities Grant
Accrual Basis April 1, 2018 through March 14, 2019
Page 2
City of Iowa City Human Rights Commission
SJRE GRANT REPORT – The FIRM Project
GRANTEE: Healthy Kids School-based Health Clinics (HKSBHC)
PROJECT FUNDED: FIRM Project
DATE OF GRANT FUNDING, AND DATE THIS REPORT APPLIES TO: FY18, As of March 31, 2019
AMOUNT AUTHORIZED: $ 12,300
NAME OF PERSON REPORTING: Alyssa Rodriguez, Susie Poulton
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES COMPONENT SUMMARY
Patients in the initial report continue receiving therapy from Luminis Minds and note significant improvements thanks to it.
In addition, two other patients have been referred to this provider for services. Finally, two students with suspected
learning disabilities and delays were able to have an education evaluation completed at the University of Iowa child and
adolescent psychiatry clinics in order to rule out any diagnoses or other concerns. Both patients experienced different
forms of significant trauma both before and during their migration to the United States/Iowa from their native countries of
El Salvador and Honduras.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WORKSHOPS SUMMARY
There will be a “Bicultural Iowa” event on 4/15 that is tying in some education/Know Your Rights training to First-
Generation college students, including those who have DACA status (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). This event will
be in conjunction with the University of Iowa College of Law and Human Rights Center and the various cultural centers on
the University of Iowa Campus. DACA high school/college students face specific stressors when it comes to planning for
their post-secondary futures due to the uncertainty of the DACA program as well as rights associated with it such as
whether an individual is eligible for financial aid, a work permit, or other typical requirements for a young person who is
entering adulthood and navigating it after high school graduation. These uncertainties often contribute to depression and
anxiety for such individuals. The Bicultural Iowa event will celebrate those Iowans with native countries other than the
United States but who equally make important contributions to our community. City High School first-generation students
will be able to mingle with undergraduate peers who have been in similar situations as them in order to help them feel less
isolated within the place they call home.
Date Source Reason Patient’s Age Cost
11/20/18 Staples printing 41.66
3/16/2019 Luminus Minds therapy appt - patient 1 8 $75
" 9 $75
" 32 $75
therapy appt - patient 2 15 $75
" $75
therapy appt patient 3 19 $75
" 75
" $75
therapy appt patient 4 17 $75
" $75
4/1/2019 UIHC Psychiatry educational evaluation for 2
patients
Ages 12 and 19 720
Iowa Writer’s
House
Books 239.20
Total 1,750.86
Interim Report, April 1, 2019
Social Justice and Racial Equity Grant: Work Skills Initiative
Center for Worker Justice of Eastern Iowa
The Social Justice and Racial Equity grant awarded to CWJ in the spring of 2018
for our Work Skills Initiative funded summer camps for 14 low-income youths
from the immigrant community as described in our report of November 1, 2018.
After completion of the summer camp activities, sewing classes were organized
in the fall of last year under the direction of an experienced instructor. These
classes came about in response to a survey of the CWJ membership conducted
the previous spring, which demonstrated a clear interest among the immigrant
community in acquiring sewing skills, both to provide hard-to-obtain clothing
items for themselves and their families and as a potential source of income.
Sewing machines were purchased in bulk from Costco and two-hour classes
were conducted over the course of 10 Saturdays. The first classes comprised 14
women with fair to no English skills. Upon satisfactory completion of the course,
each student was provided with the sewing machine used during the class to
take home with them for their own use. Details concerning the curriculum,
expenses and results of this course are provided in our November 1 report.
A second sewing class was organized and initiated in the winter of 2018-19.
Unfortunately, the instructor secured for this second class has experienced
health issues resulting in the temporary cessation of activities class activities.
We hope to resume the classes when a suitable substitute instructor becomes
available.
During the Iowa City Community School District winter break, jewelry making
classes for young people from the CWJ membership were conducted at
Beadology under the direction of Karen Kubby. Twelve students were enrolled
and attended three-hour class sessions on December 27 and 28, 2018.
Instructors were supplied for these sessions, which included a structured class
with a beading or jewelry making project, discussion on running a business, a
tour, a glass bead making demonstration, and feedback from the students.
The regular fee charged by Beadology for the selected class in bracelet and
earring making is $60. The cost for materials was $20, with Beadology donating
the remaining $40/person/day. For young people with a special interest in this
area, Karen has declared herself open to mentoring a small group over time with
skill building and business experience.
April Correspondence
Date: April 4, 2019
To: Iowa City Landlords and Rental Property Managers
From: Kristin Watson, Human Rights Investigator
Re: Criminal Background Checks
Everyone needs a place to live. Yet formerly-incarcerated people are homeless at a rate that far
exceeds that of the rest of the population. A person who has been incarcerated once is more
than 6 ½ times more likely to be homeless than a person who has never been incarcerated.1
People incarcerated more than once are over 13 times as likely to be homeless.2
The United States incarcerates more of its population than any other country in the world.3 Incarceration has a disproportionate impact on communities of color. Black men are over five times more likely, and Hispanic men are almost three times more likely, to have been incarcerated than white men.4 Similarly, Black women are 5.5 times more likely, and Hispanic women over two times more likely, to have been incarcerated than white women.5 While “a person with a criminal history” is not a protected class per se, refusing to rent to people who have such histories without individual consideration of their circumstances may lead to successful complaints of discrimination.
What is a criminal history?
It can be more complicated than it appears to determine whether a person actually has a criminal history. Arrests should never be used to disqualify an applicant from consideration. Reports from private database companies should be examined carefully to determine whether convictions listed are truly convictions; that is, landlords should be sure they have not been expunged, sealed, or subject to a successfully completed diversion program.
In what ways can using criminal histories be discriminatory?
The Fair Housing Act can be violated in two ways through use of criminal history.6 The first is by
direct discriminatory treatment. In these cases, a landlord treats an applicant differently because
of race, national origin, or other protected characteristic, using the criminal history as a pretext
for the discrimination. Examples could include: • renting to a white applicant with a criminal history, but rejecting a Hispanic applicant with
a similar history, • making policy exceptions for white applicants, but not African-American applicants, with
respect to criminal histories, • treating an old conviction as a youthful indiscretion for a US-born applicant, while
treating the same type of conviction as evidence of a criminal nature for an immigrant
applicant.
The second type of violation can lead to liability even without discriminatory intent. This is called
disparate-impact discrimination. Criminal history policies that operate to exclude protected
classes from housing may violate the FHA unless they are narrowly tailored to “serve a
1 https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/housing.html
2 Id.
3https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2015/07/07/yes-u-s-locks-people-up-at-a-higher-rate-than-any-other-
country/?utm_term=.a2381579bace
4 https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/trends-in-u-s-corrections/
5 https://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/trends-in-u-s-corrections/
6 For a more detailed discussion of this topic, see https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/HUD_OGCGUIDAPPFHASTANDCR.PDF
April 4, 2019
Page 2
substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest” that cannot be served by another policy with a
less discriminatory effect.7
In a disparate-impact situation, statistics, applicant data, tenant files, census data, criminal
justice data, etc. will be analyzed to determine if the policy actually or predictably results in a
higher burden on a protected group. If so, the landlord may show that the challenged policy is
necessary to serve a substantial, legitimate, nondiscriminatory interest. This interest cannot be
hypothetical or speculative, and the policy must actually achieve that interest. A common
legitimate interest is protection of other residents and protection of both landlord and resident
property. However, landlords may not exclude everyone with a conviction of any kind. This is
too broad and is not necessary to achieve the interest of safety and property protection. Policies
must accurately distinguish between convictions that indicate risk and those which do not. If a
landlord’s policy passes this test, it must also pass a second test: whether there is a less-
discriminatory alternative. Therefore, landlords should strive for the least-restrictive policy that
still achieves the goal of protection of other residents and both landlord and resident property.
Are there any offenses landlords can always exclude someone for?
Yes. According to § 807(b)(4) of the FHA, landlords may exclude persons who have been
“convicted … of the illegal manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance as defined in
section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802).” Be cautious, because this
exception only applies to disparate impact claims based on conviction for these specific
offenses. It does not apply to arrests only, and does not apply to other drug offenses, such as
possession. The exception also does not apply to intentional discrimination claims, because in
those claims, the drug conviction is only the excuse for conduct actually based upon a protected
class such as race or national origin.
What are best practices for using criminal histories?
• Verify other qualifications first. Do not check criminal history unless an applicant passes
other benchmarks for eligibility such as credit rating, income level, eviction history, etc.
Note that any checks must be done consistently; if a landlord checks one applicant’s
credit rating, all applicants must be checked. • An arrest is never enough to deny a person housing. Arrests have no bearing on
whether a person is eventually found guilty of the offense. • When evaluating a criminal history, be sure to distinguish between convictions and
charges that have been dismissed, successfully diverted, expunged, or sealed. • Determine which offenses actually do threaten the safety of other residents and
property. Do engage in some basic research and don’t make assumptions. • Determine how recent a conviction needs to be to matter. Several 20-year-old assault
convictions with no subsequent record may not matter at all, for example, while several
assault convictions within the past two years may matter much more. • Have an appeal process; there should be an opportunity for a person to explain the
circumstances and why they should not be considered a threat. • Record the justification for the policy and keep a record of any consultations and
research considered in crafting it. • Keep criminal record information confidential. Use it only for the purpose intended and
share only with those who absolutely need access to it.
The Iowa City Human Rights Office hopes to provide memos to local landlords on a regular
basis to assist in providing good outcomes for both landlords and tenants in this community.
Please send other fair housing topics you would like to receive guidance on in the future, or
inquiries regarding fair housing issues, to humanrights@iowa-city.com.
7 24 C.F.R. § 100.500; Texas Dep’t. of Hous. & Cmty. Affairs v. Inclusive Cmtys. Project, Inc., 576 U.S. ___; 135 S. Ct. 2507, 2535
(2015).
The United States’ postwar housing policy created the world’s largest middle class. It also set America on two divergent paths -- one of imagined wealth, propped up by speculation and endless booms and busts, and the other in systematically defunded, segregated communities, where “the American dream” feels hopelessly out of reach. Owned is a fever dream vision into the dark history behind the US housing economy. Tracking its overtly racist beginnings and its unbridled commoditization, the film exposes a
foundational story that few Ameri-cans understand as their own.
Writer and director Giorgio Angelini came into film from a multi-faceted career in the creative arts. After touring in bands for much of his 20s, Giorgio studied architecture at Rice University and became an award-winning architect at Schaum/Shieh. In 2008, he began the project that became Owned. His production company is Section Perspective Films.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Magid Center for Undergraduate Writing in advance at 319-384-1328.
THE MAGID CENTERPRESENTS
DOCUMENTARY SCREENINGOF “OWNED”
FOLLOWED BY Q&A
WITH DIRECTOR
GIORGIO ANGELINI
Tuesday, April 16th
7:30 PM
Shambaugh Auditorium
Main Library
Thursday, April 18
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Big Grove Brewery
Join us for the
opportunity to
connect with local
youth serving
organizations seeking
mentors and enjoy
the first round on us1225 S Gilbert St, Iowa City
Presented by the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce and
members of the Community Leadership Program, Class of 2018-19
Visualizing Equitable and Sustainable Communities in Iowa
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Leslie Gannon in advance at (319) 335-6817 or leslie-gannon@uiowa.edu.
Thursday, April 25
5:00 Social, 5:30 Presentations
The Graduate Hotel, downtown Iowa City
facebook.com/uippc@uippc
In honor of the University of Iowa Public Policy Center’s 30th Anniversary, we invite you to
a showcase of how our research impacts the lives of Iowans and our communities. In a fun,
fast-paced, “3-minute thesis” style of presentation, our researchers will talk about the issues
they study, and ask for your feedback on the issues that are most important to you!
Featured Topics Include:
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
• Material Hardship
• Obesity Rates
• Lead in Iowa Drinking Water
• Mental Health Resources by County
• Trends in Iowa Dentist Locations
• Community Interaction and Violence
• Health Care for Complex Cases
• Flooding & Climate Change
• Iowa’s Well Water
• Minimum Wage
• Digital Literacy
• School Climate
• And much more!
For more information about our research, visit www.ppc.uiowa.edu
“Race, Place & Land-Use:
The Minneapolis 2040 Plan”
Join Kirsten Delegard, director and co-founder of the
Mapping Prejudice Project, and Heather Worthington,
director of Long Range Planning, City of Minneapolis -
Community Planning & Economic Development, as
they discuss the history of racial exclusion and its lega-
cies today, and the application of research and urban
planning to correcting the city's racial inequities.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of
Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires
a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program,
please contact Gina Davis in advance at gina-davis@uiowa.edu or 319-
335-0032.
Thursday, April
25th, 2019
7:30-9:00 PM
IMU—#335 Divine
Nine Room