(A) Any person who claims to have been injured by an unlawful housing practice or who believes that he will be irrevocably injured by an unlawful housing practice that is about to occur may file a complaint with the city.
(B) All complaints shall be filed within 12 months after the alleged unlawful housing practice occurred. Complaints shall be in writing and shall state the facts upon which allegations of a violation of this chapter are based. The respondent may file an answer to the complaint. Both complaint and answer may be amended.
(C) Upon receipt of such complaint, either from the complainant or the secretary of HUD, the Redevelopment Commission shall be designated as agent to investigate the matter. The Redevelopment Commission shall respond within ten days to the alleged complaint, notify the person(s) who allegedly committed or are about to commit the unlawful housing practice and to seek to conciliate the alleged violation.
(D) If the Redevelopment Commission of the city, as designated agent, is unable to resolve the alleged discrimination within 30 days, the complainant may file or request the city to file the complaint with the secretary of HUD pursuant to Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 and may commence a civil action in the general court of justice for enforcement of the chapter.
('69 Code, § 7.1-6) (Ord. passed 5-4-78; Am. Ord., passed 5-6-82; Am. Ord., passed 9-5-91; Am. Ord. 9-93, passed 4-8-93)