A. Any person aggrieved by discriminatory practice prohibited by this article may file with the Fair Housing Board a complaint in writing under oath. The complaint shall be signed by the person claiming to be aggrieved, shall state the name and address of the person alleged to have violated the provisions of this article, shall further set forth the particulars of the violation, and may include such other information as may be required by the board. Complaints filed under this section must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) days after the alleged violation has occurred or terminated, whichever is later, and failure to file within the time shall be considered a waiver of the application of this section. The board may issue a complaint on its own initiative at any time it is within the knowledge of the board that a person has violated any of the provisions of this article.
B. The board shall investigate each complaint filed with the board and shall attempt an adjustment of the complaint by means of conference and conciliation. Sixty (60) days shall be allowed for the purpose of investigation, conference and conciliation. If within sixty (60) days after the complaint is filed it is determined by the board or a member of the board or the staff that there is no reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory practice, the board shall issue an order dismissing the complaint and shall furnish a copy of the order to the complainant, the respondent, the attorney general and such other public officers and persons as the board deems proper. If the board takes no action within ninety (90) days of the filing of the complaint, it shall be considered as dismissed.
C. If conference or conciliation does not result in compliance with this article, the board shall cause to be issued and served in the name of the City, a written notice, together with a copy of the complaint, requiring the respondent to answer the charges of the complaint at a hearing before the board at a time and place to be specified in the notice.
D. At the hearing, provided for in subsection (C) of this section, the complaint shall be heard by the board. At the hearing, the complainant or person aggrieved may appear in person and by counsel and the respondent may file a written answer to the complaint and may appear in person or by legal counsel. The board, when conducting any hearing pursuant to this action, may permit amendments to any complaint or answer, and the testimony taken at the hearing shall be under oath and shall be transcribed at the request of either party or at the direction of the board. If the board finds at the hearing that the respondent has engaged in any discriminatory practice or practices prohibited by this article, it shall state its findings of fact and shall so certify the matter to the City Attorney for appropriate action. No prosecution shall be brought under this section except upon such certification. If the board, upon hearing, finds that respondent has not engaged in any discriminatory practice, it shall state its findings of fact and shall issue and file an order dismissing the complaint. The board shall establish rules and regulations to govern and expedite and effectuate the foregoing procedure and shall maintain the files provided for in this section.
(Code 1991, § 5-1006)