Public Invited: Fair Housing Discussion coming to Cedar Rapids/Marion on November 8th

Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission Fair Housing Conference

Current Fair Housing Issues

Thursday, November 8, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Kirkwood Training & Outreach Services (KTOS)

3375 Armar Drive, Marion

Registration: $25 (includes continental breakfast and lunch)
*Register by 5pm October 31 to receive lunch.
Late registrations and same day registrants will be accepted - Lunch will not be included for late registrants

This Conference is designed to give housing professionals, attorneys, social service staff, and community members, a strong understanding of Fair Housing laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Credit. Come learn about your rights and your responsibilities!

REGISTER: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4550536778/eivtefrnd#

This event has been approved for 1.75 hours of Continuing Legal Education activity credit.
Please notify us at Registration if you are requesting CLE credit.
Members of the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors should contact the CRAAR for more information.  Scholarships are availabe for CRAAR members.

PROGRAM
8:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:45 Welcome

• Karl Cassell, Executive Director, Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
• Ron Corbett, Mayor, City of Cedar Rapids
• Snooks Bouska, Mayor, City of Marion

9:00 Keynote

• Betty Bottiger, Region VII Director, Housing and Urban Development

10:00 An Overview of Fair Housing Law.

• A discussion of recent court and administrative decisions. Areas of emphasis will include prohibited practices, protected classes and issues relating to persons with disabilities and families.
• Professor Allison Bethel, Clinical Professor, Director, Fair Housing Clinic, The John Marshall Law School

11:00 The Fair Housing Act, Persons with Disabilities, Animals and Pets.

1. This session will examine and compare federal, state and local laws that govern the rights of persons with disabilities to live with or be accompanied in public by animals who provide service, support, assistance or companionship. The workshop will focus on how to apply the federal Fair Housing Act, Iowa Civil Rights Act, Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Ordinance, Iowa's Rights of Persons with Disabilities law, and Dangerous Wild Animals law. Parrots and pooches and pigs, oh my!
2. Professor Len Sandler, Clinical Professor of Law, University of Iowa College of Law

12:00 Lunch

• Accessibility to and within Housing: Applicable Laws and Regulations for Dwellings and Common Areas.
• This session will cover The Americans with Disabilities Act and Amendments and The Fair Housing Act and Amendments, including purpose and overview, specific regulations to housing, common and public area regulations, and animals for companionship and service. We will also talk about the influence and confluence of related laws for persons with disabilities.
• Jim de Jong, Executive Director and Principal Investigator, Great Plains ADA Center

1:00 Credit Reports: The Good, the Bad, the Bottom Line.

• We will discuss information contained in a credit report, credit scoring, interpreting credit history – what’s important, what’s not, reading between the lines, and improving credit – creating opportunities.
• Scott Shook, Director of Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Horizons

LUNCH OPTIONS

• Turkey Sandwich on French Baguette
• Walnut Chicken Salad on Croissant
• Vegetarian Sandwich on Sourdough Bread

Lunch includes sandwich, fresh fruit, chips, and a cookie

If you have questions about this event, please contact the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission at 319-286-5036.  I, Robin Tucker, am one of the eleven local residents that currently serves on the City's Civil Rights Commission.  My father, I.L. "Tommy" Tucker had the pleasure of being one of the original commissioners, when Cedar Rapids began to promote equal opportunity and civil rights in our community.  He served the Commission as a volunteer Commissioner for 32 years.

The Week of April 16, 2012: Real Estate, Rotary and Community

Windy weather and plenty of work ahead for the Week of April 16th ...
Our local association of REALTORS meets ever third Wednesday of the month for lunch. Various programs on a variety of real estate related topics are discussed monthly. This month's spotlight should be very interesting.

CRAAR April Real Estate Today Show

Agenda: Working with Physical Disabilities: Become aware of how to work with hearing and visually impaired clients

Featured Speakers: Babs Haggin, Iowa Realty and Jonathan Ice, Rehabilitation Teacher, Iowa Department for the Blind

Monday morning: Government Affairs meeting with members of the Cedar Rapids Association of Realtors looking at local, statewide and national issues.

Attending my weekly Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids meeting. This week's program is on Linn County Conservation efforts.

April 17Th is Federal Tax Day

April 18Th will attend CRAAR monthly luncheon and at 5:30 pm, the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission holds its monthly meeting.

April 19Th is Patriots' Day in America.

A system of signals and word-of-mouth communication set up by
the colonists was effective in forewarning American volunteer militia men of the
approach of the British troops. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Paul Revere's
Ride" tells how a lantern was displayed in the steeple of Christ Church on the
night of April 18, 1775 as a signal to Paul Revere and others.

One if by land, and two if by sea;

And I on the opposite shore will be,

Ready to ride and spread the alarm

Through every Middlesex, village and farm,

For the country folk to be up and to arm.

If we can be of help to you for your real estate buying or selling needs, please let us know.

Tommy Tucker Realty Realty Co. has been licensed in the practice of real estate in Iowa, since 1958. We provide services in property management and general brokerage.

City of Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is awarded $100,000

For Immediate Release

Harkin Announces $420,000 for Fair Housing in Iowa

WASHINGTON D.C.-Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) has awarded $422,622 to seven Iowa cities. FHAP aims to assist state and local agencies that administer fair housing laws. The assistance includes support for complaint processing, training, technical assistance, data and information systems, and other fair housing projects. The program is also designed to provide incentives for states and localities to assume a greater share of the responsibility for administering fair housing laws. Senator Harkin is a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds HUD.

“Quality, affordable housing is one of our most basic needs,” said Harkin. “I am pleased the federal government is providing funding to Iowa cities that will allow each of them to take responsibility for fair housing laws and projects in their communities.”

Details of the funding are as followings:
Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission-$100,000
Davenport Civil Rights Commission-$64,285
Des Moines Human Rights Department-$44,680
Iowa Civil Rights Commission-$37,200
Mason City Human Rights Commission-$86,802
Sioux City Human Rights Commission-$23,655
Waterloo Commission on Human Rights-$66,000

Note: Robin Tucker, Realtor with Tommy Tucker Realty Co. serves on the 11-member Civil Rights Commission for the City of Cedar Rapids.

Neighborhood Safety Forum in Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 23

We begin the fourth week of 2012 in Cedar Rapids today.

This morning, Realtor Robin Tucker attended a Realtor Government Affairs committee meeting at the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors. An Noon, the Rotary Club of Cedar Rapids had a program from the University of Iowa College of Public Health. Tonight, there will be a Neighborhood Safety Forum at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m.

Council Member Pat Shey is hosting the Neighborhood Safety Forum. Pat Shey represents District 3 on the City Council for Cedar Rapids.

The purpose of this forum is to provide information to help residents make their homes and neighborhoods safer. We will discuss current crime statistics, what you can do to protect your home, how you can make your neighborhood safer, and what you should do if you experience a crime or witness suspicious activity.

Robin Tucker, as one of the new Commissioners on the Civil Rights Commission, said he plans to attend. At last week's first Commission meeting, he decided to join the Outreach Committee for the Commission for 2012. Tucker is one of two new members of the 11 member citizen Commission.

Pat Shey to Host Neighborhood Safety Forum on Jan. 23
City Council Member Pat Shey will host a Neighborhood Safety Forum on Monday, January 23, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, located at 1340 3rd Ave SE, especially for residents of District 3.

“The purpose of this forum is to provide the citizens of Cedar Rapids with information that will help them make their homes and neighborhoods safer,” said Shey. “We will discuss current crime statistics, what you can do to protect your home, how you can make your neighborhood safer, and what you should do if you experience a crime or witness suspicious activity.”

The forum will feature a panel discussion, moderated by Shey, which will include the following experts from the Cedar Rapids Police Department: Lt. Jerry Potter, Sgt. Matthew Welsh, Investigator Michael Bailey and Crime Analyst Dawn Stanford. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns during the forum.

Residents with personal experiences to share are encouraged to submit a written narrative or statement before the forum and send them to Pat.Shey@cedar-rapids.org. All statements will be compiled, scanned and share with all who are interested.

The first half of January is now in the books: Real Estate, Taxes and More

We hope your New Year is off to a good start. It certainly seems like a fast start. If you have questions, regarding property management or real estate services throughout the year, we hope you will call on us at Tommy Tucker Realty Co.

We are marketing a couple of two bedroom bungalows for rent in NE Cedar Rapids at the present time. Rents start at $550.00 per month.

We have an executive four bedroom home for rent in SE Cedar Rapids at 290 Indiandale Road SE. This property is an over 3,000 square foot home and is currently being updated with new fixtures and decorating. Rent is listed at $1,600 per month and with the updates, this will be a great value. Two story house, fenced rear yard, with garage for three and many features on a quiet dead-end street.

On Wednesday, two meetings are already scheduled for the New Year. Our first monthly Realtor luncheon and in the evening, the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission will hold the first monthly meeting of 2012 at 5:30 pm.

We invite you to stop by and read our newsletter during the year. If you would ever like to talk about your business needs, please give us a call or set up an appointment.

Realtor® Robin Tucker is one of two appointed by City to serve on Civil Rights Commission

On January 10Th, Mayor Ron Corbett with the consent of the City Council appointed Robin Tucker, a Realtor® with Tommy Tucker Realty Co., and Anne Pham, an Alliant Energy employee, to the eleven member Civil Rights Commission for the City of Cedar Rapids. Tucker and Pham will fill two vacancies on the Commission through June 30, 2013.

The Commission is made up of eleven volunteer members, who are appointed by the Mayor for three-year terms, comprise the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission. Each member may serve two consecutive three-year terms. This is a policy-making body which directs the Commission staff. Commissioners are also involved in revising the local civil rights ordinance and assist staff members in their efforts to enforce these laws. The Commission annually elects a Chair and a Vice-Chair. Regularly scheduled meetings take place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

Robin Tucker's father, I.L. 'Tommy' Tucker, proudly served on the original Commission or Committee on Human/Civil Rights for the City of Cedar Rapids. He served for approximately 32 years and was recognized by the Commission for his past service on July 15, 2011 at a Cedar Rapids Kernals game, where he was asked to throw out the first pitch. Tommy Tucker Realty Co. is a contributor to the Friends of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission Foundation, as is the Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors. (Pictured are LaVerne and Tommy Tucker, Robin's parents, with our City's Civil Rights Director Karl Cassell, along with Tommy Tucker, founder of our company throwing out the first pitch).

We believe strongly in the tradition of Equal Opportunity in employment, housing, education, public accommodations and credit in our community. "Like my father, I look forward to paying my civic rent in service to the Commission for the next 18 months," said Robin Tucker.

This Monday, January 16Th, our Nation and community will celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday. Robin Tucker is scheduled to attend both the 26Th Annual Remembering Martin Luncheon at the Hotel at Kirkwood at 11 a.m., as well as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday evening at St. Paul's UMC at 7 p.m. The evening event is open to the public and there is no charge attend, though a free will offering is taken.

Community Topic for June 4, 2011: Racial Profiling vs. Criminal Profiling Forum

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is sponsoring an open forum/panel discussion entitled “Fostering an Understanding: Racial Profiling vs. Criminal Profiling”.

The forum is June 4 from 2:00 - 4:00pm at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church (1340 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA) and is free and open to the public.

Panel will consist of representatives from the following:

• Cedar Rapids Police Department


• Hiawatha Police Department


• Marion Police Department


• Linn County Sheriff’s Office


• NAACP


• Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission

Panel Moderator: Beth Malicki of KCRG

I have attached a flyer with details; please feel free to post in your office or pass on to anyone you think might be interested.

We hope you will plan to attend! Let me know if you have questions.

Information submitted by:

Stefanie Robinson
Investigator and Mediator, Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission
City of Cedar Rapids, 425 2Nd Street SE, Suite 960, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Office: 319-286-5036
Fax: 319-286-5136
E-mail: s.robinson@cedar-rapids.org

Website: http://www.cedar-rapids.org/government/departments/civil-rights/

Homeless is a situation - not a population.

Chapter 29 and Chapter 69 conversations in the City of Cedar Rapids

The City of Cedar Rapids changed Chapter 29 of the municipal code in 2010. However, the Courts are now involved, due to language used by the City in establishing an updated fee and inspection system that requires licensing, as well as specific crime-free language ...

Cedar Rapids landlord group fighting city’s crime-free ordinance

- The Gazette article is linked on the pending lawsuit against the City of Cedar Rapids

Roemerman is representing a group of Cedar Rapids landlords seeking summary judgment in their lawsuit against the City of Cedar Rapids over the “Crime Free Lease Addendum." (Gazette file photo)

A group of landlords filed a motion for summary judgment Friday in its lawsuit against the City of Cedar Rapids over the “Crime Free Lease Addendum,” which was approved last summer. The Landlords of Linn County, a non-profit group comprised of 150 landlords, and Rehman Enterprises, owner of 14 rental properties, claim in the lawsuit ...

The City of Cedar Rapids is considering changing Chapter 69 of the municipal code in 2011. Some of the new recommendations have property owners, landlords and proponents of limited government concerned. Should a property owner, landlord or agent be required to accept Section 8 housing?

The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission has formed the Friends of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission recently. They are seeking support for advocacy efforts in the community for civil rights. We had the opportunity this week to sit down and learn about the advocacy work that is planned, including the formation of the Youth Advisory Board for Friends of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission.

We have a couple of two bedroom houses for rent in the Cedar Rapids area. Also, there are plenty of houses for sale in the Cedar Rapids area. If you are in need of assistance, please call and talk to one of our Realtors.

We are wrapping up the week of February 7Th through 11Th. We completed a city inspection on Friday. Next week, we have a final inspection at another local property. The City of Cedar Rapids has a five years inspection cycle, while the City of Marion has a three year inspection cycle on rental housing.

If we can be of service to you, with your property management or real estate needs, please let us know. You can contact us in various ways.

ttrco

January 10-11, 2011: New Chapter 69 Ordinance Focus Groups by trhe Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission

The City of Cedar Rapids, though the Civil Rights Commission is seeking to make changes to Chapter 69.

Here's information on the upcoming New Ordinance Focus Groups for Monday and Tuesday in Cedar Rapids ...

In order to foster a more inclusive community, the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission has proposed ordinance changes that will add gender identity, retaliation, and lawful source of income as protected classes, extend across-the-board coverage for all other protected classes, provide changes in the area of public accommodation that adhere to ADA standards, extend the time to file to 300 days for complaints in the areas of employment, education, credit, and public accommodation, and extend the time to file to a year for complaints in the area of housing. The changes will go before the City Council for approval, and if approved, will take effect April.

Public Forums will be held the week of January 10Th to discuss these changes with the public. The dates, times, and changes discussed are listed below.

JANUARY 10, 2011 - CEDAR RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY,

SENDAK ROOM, WESTDALE MALL

6:00-7:00pm, Familial/Marital Status

The proposed changes will extend across-the-board protection in the areas of housing, employment, education, credit, and public accommodation.

7:15-8:15pm, Gender Identity

The proposed changes will add gender identity as a protected class in the areas of housing, employment, education, public accommodation, and credit. The changes define gender identity as actual or perceived gender-related identity, expression, appearance, behavior,
or other attributes regardless of the person’s assigned sex at birth.

JANUARY 11, 2011 - ST. PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH,

SOCIAL HALL, 1340 3RD AVE. SE

5:30-6:30pm, Lawful Source of Income

The proposed changes will add lawful source of income as a protected class in the area of housing. The changes define lawful source of income as any lawful, verifiable source of money paid directly or indirectly to or on behalf of a renter or buyer of housing, including income derived from: 1) any lawful profession or occupation; 2) any government or private assistance, subsidy, voucher, grant, or loan program.

7:00-8:00pm, Design/Construction Requirements in Public Accommodation

The proposed ordinance changes will hold designers and/or builders responsible for meeting ADA requirements in multifamily dwellings and public accommodations from the date a certificate of occupancy is issued until compliance is achieved.

All sessions are free and open to the public.

We encourage the community to attend these sessions to learn more about this public policy proposal and changes to our community Chapter 69 ordinance.

ttrco

City of Cedar Rapids wants to expand Protected Classes in Chapter 69, including lawful sources of income

There was an article today in The Gazette on upcoming community open houses on proposed changes in Chapter 69 municipal code for the City of Cedar Rapids. Chapter 69 deals with Civil Rights in our community. I was happy to see that Rick Smith from The Gazette reported on the upcoming public discussion on Chapter 69.

Robin Tucker, a local Realtor and businessman, this week said the
proposed ordinance change related to housing vouchers does rub some landlords
the wrong way.

“What if I don’t want any more to do with government than
required, which is how some people look at it,” Tucker said. “Should landlords
be required to do business with government?”

Ordinance change would protect Section 8 housing applicants - The Gazette

Karl Cassell is executive director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, which is proposing a change to the city's civil rights ordinance that would prohibit housing discrimination based on the source of their income ...

New Ordinance Focus Groups will be hosted by the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission on Monday, January 10Th and Tuesday, January 11Th. Different subjects will be presented each session.

• The city commission forum on Monday will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s location in Westdale Mall. Proposed ordinance changes related to marital status will be discussed first followed by those related to gender identity.


• The Tuesday forum will be held at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1340 Third Ave. SE, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Proposed ordinance changes related to lawful sources of income will be discussed first followed by changes related to construction and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Want to read the latest newsletter from the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission?

Tommy Tucker Realty Co. represents a variety of property owners, who are seeking to rent single family houses in our area. Our agency does not have an application fee and we will consider all legal sources of income. We encourage anyone seeking a rental to apply.

Our company founder, Realtor® Emeritus and President, I.L. 'Tommy' Tucker is a former member of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission. Tommy served on the initial civil rights committee that become the Cedar Rapids Civil Right Commission back in the 1960s under Mayor Robert M.L. Johnson. Tommy served as Commissioner in a variety of roles for 31 years.

ttrco

Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission holding "Fair Housing Focus Groups" on January 12, 2010

The City of Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is holding "Fair Housing Focus Groups" per a Facebook announcement.

• Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2010


• Time: 9:30am - 6:30pm


• Location: African American Museum at 55 12Th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403

ttrco

Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission holding Fair Housing Conference on June 25, 2009

Robin Tucker, Broker/Officer for Tommy Tucker Realty Co. is attending the following Cedar Rapids Civil Rights event.

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2009
Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Crowne Plaza
Street: 350 First Avenue NE
City/Town: in Cedar Rapids, IA

Agenda for Fair Housing Conference
8:00 am Registration, breakfast
8:30 am Welcome, opening remarks
9:00 am Housing, Foreclosures, and Predatory Lending
11:00 am Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities
12:00 pm Lunch/showing of “Brooklyn Matters” Documentary
1-5 pm Housing Laws: Realtor /Landlord Track
OR
1 pm Voluntary Property Acquisition for Flood Impacted Properties
2 pm Student Loans: Stella Adams
OR Iowa Finance Authority Programs for Home Buyers
3 pm Accessibility, Americans with Disability Act
4 pm Home Buyer Education

Contact the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission for more information!
Phone: 319.286.5036
E-mail: civilrights@cedar-rapids.org

Registration fee: $25
Registration is open through day of conference.
PLEASE register in advance: we are required to give counts to the facility for food.

Thank you and hope to see you there!

ttrco