(A) (1) In compliance with rights granted by §§ 803 through 806 of the Fair Housing Act, being 42 U.S.C. §§ 3603 through 3606, enforcement by private persons may be enforced in the United States District Court without regard to the amount of controversy.
(2) A civil action may be commenced within 30 days after the alleged discriminatory housing practice occurred; provided, however, that, the court shall continue the civil case brought pursuant to this section or § 93.24(D) from time to time before bringing it to trial if the court believes that the conciliation efforts of the Chief Executive Officer and the State Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities are likely to result in satisfactory settlement of the discriminatory housing practice complained of in the complaint made to the Chief Executive Officer and which practice forms the basis for the action in court; and provided, however, that, any sale, encumbrances or rental consummated prior to the issuance of any court order issued under the authority of this chapter, and involving a bona fide purchaser, encumbrance or tenant without actual notice of the existence of the filing of the complaint or civil action under the provisions of this chapter shall not be affected.
(B) (1) Upon application by the plaintiff, and in such circumstances as the court may deem just, the court in which a civil action under this subchapter has been brought may appoint an attorney for the plaintiff and may authorize the commencement of a civil action upon proper showing without the payment of fees, costs or security.
(2) The court may do likewise to the extent not inconsistent with the law or procedures of the state or the city.
(C) The court may grant as relief, as it deems appropriate, any permanent or temporary injunction, temporary restraining order or other order and may award to the plaintiff actual damages and not more than $1,000 punitive damages, together with court costs and reasonable attorney fees in the case of a prevailing plaintiff; provided that, the plaintiff, in the opinion of the court, is not financially able to assume the attorney's fees.
(1967 Code, Appendix C, § 2-3) (Ord. passed 9-6-1977)