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OPINION: Housing discrimination isn't old history in Alaska

June 1st 1:01 pm | Stacy Deacon Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

I wanted to share my personal experience with housing and the narrow-mindedness that is still occurring in Alaska today. Most recently, our family was in need of housing. We had been living with relatives for quite some time and we realized that our 3-year-old daughter needed her own bedroom and how I really wanted my own kitchen once again. So, we all decided to go out apartment searching and found a really nice two-bedroom apartment with a view of the Chugach Mountains.

We called the fellow who posted the "for rent" sign on the front of the property and scheduled a viewing of the apartment. The apartment had exactly what we were looking for: a dishwasher, nice living room size, balcony, nice bathroom and the laundry room right outside the front door. Although, it could have used some paint, new floor boards, thermostat and the kitchen really needed some scrubbing, but they were all minor fixes and we were definitely interested.

After some preliminary questions about employment and the standard questions about the permanent residents, the fellow asked if we wanted to go ahead and submit an application. In which case, we did and listed all of our information timely and honestly. He was still interested in our family and seemed like he wanted to rent to us. However, just like every other landlord, he and his wife had to process the application. Everything checked out with our employment and they called us with the go-ahead. During this phone call, we made an appointment for the lease signing. They advised us that we needed to have the electricity turned on in our names, have a couple of paycheck stubs ready and, of course, bring our state identification cards to the lease signing.

During this phone call, I also advised his wife that we would have to place a hold on the apartment with the security deposit and that we would have the entire rent with the next paycheck. I did not have the entire amount because I had to use my previous paycheck to go back to the village for a funeral. His wife seemed a little hesitant but said to meet with the husband anyway and to bring the requested documents.

I turned on the electricity the following day, already had our paycheck stubs, the deposit in hand and I was off to see the landlord to sign the lease. This is where the story takes an interesting turn. When I met with the landlord, he had some very troubling questions about our culture based on the earlier conversation I had with his wife.

He said, "I have some questions first off; what happens when you have to go back to the village?"

I said: "I would not be able to because I would need to pay the rent and that is my priority."

"Well I have rented to Native families before and they have always left me high and dry. When sometimes one of the family members goes back or the entire family goes back, I am left there stuck and I just don't think this is going to be a good fit, but I will talk it over with my wife, but she is a lot less understanding than I am."

Then he asked, "By the way, where did you meet your companion?"

I said, "Through a mutual friend."

He also continued with "Let's see, how old are you and how old is he?"

I gave him our ages. He also asked where he was from. I let him know he was from another small Native village. Even though, I didn't know the outcome, I recognized that look of disapproval.

At this point, I wanted to make sure we would have a roof over our heads, so I pleaded with him and said, "Please, sir, would you reconsider?"

He continued to the door and said, "We'll just go ahead and repost the for rent sign and if we don't get anybody by the thirtieth of the month, we'll go ahead and give it you."

Then we were outside of the building and he asked, "What village is your dad from?"

I said, "My dad is from Grayling."

After that, he asked, "Where is your mom from?"

I told him, "My mom is from North Dakota."

He asked, "Oh, what is her ethnicity or heritage?"

I said "She is Native American."

Then he said, "Oh, OK. We'll be in touch, then, and I'll let you know."

He called the same evening and said, "My wife and I said no! And you'll need to contact the electric company and see if they will reimburse you the electric deposit and if they don't, then I will."

I asked him, "Well, if you are not going to rent to me, even after we met all requested requirements; will you reimburse the electric deposit promptly?"

He said sharply, "I will get it to you when I do and that's tomorrow after 5 p.m. — goodbye!"

That same night, I was so devastated about not getting the place, after all we went through. I just cried. It wasn't until the next morning that I thought about the entire episode of not getting the place. Then I thought, "Did we just get discriminated against?" Now, if you know me — I am not one to use this word "discriminated" lightly. I tried to rationalize the entire situation over and over; it was just then, I realized that we were discriminated against.

I thought to myself, this can not be happening but if it is, I am going to do something about it. That's when I contacted a local state agency, gave them an overview and asked "Is this something you can help me with, or is it invalid?" The nice lady said, "Oh no, this is exactly the kind of cases we like to know about and this guy has to be stopped!" Just for a second, I felt like someone actually heard me. I continued with the case notes, dropped them off and we now have a current case pending. We shall see where it leads, but either way at least some light has been shed.

We continued to look for an apartment and luckily found an even better two-bedroom, not with a view, but better indeed. It has the much needed dishwasher, laundry room right outside the front door and an added bonus; nice lighting. It also has a small yard for our 3-year-old to play in. This is where we plan on having family time with barbecuing and sun-surfing. Now that we understand how difficult it is to find a nice place with good people, we plan on living there for a long time.

Stacy Deacon is an administrative assistant for Alaska Newspapers Inc.

 


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