Source: https://ecode360.com/7682424
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 18:36:31+00:00

Document:
§ 187-2 Policy and purposes.
§ 187-4 Unlawful discriminatory practices.
§ 187-5 Establishment of Fair Housing Office; Housing Officer.
§ 187-6 Powers and duties of Fair Housing Office.
§ 187-9 Penalties for offenses.
§ 187-10 Severability; supersession of inconsistent provisions.
It is hereby ordained and directed that the City of Albany by this chapter adopts and establishes an Office of Fair Housing and establishes a fair housing policy. The purpose, policy, duties and procedures to be followed by the City of Albany under this Fair Housing Ordinance are set forth below.
In accord with Title 8 of the United States Code, the Human Rights Law of the State of New York, as amended, and Article III of Chapter 48 of this Code, it is the policy of the City of Albany to provide fair housing.
Editor's Note: See Article 15 of the New York State Executive Law.
The purposes of this chapter are those in accord with Title 8 of the United States Code, § 296 of the Human Rights Law of the State of New York, and Article III of Chapter 48 of this Code, as such provisions apply to fair housing.
Editor's Note: See § 296 of the Executive Law.
All such definitions of the Human Rights Law of the State of New York, as amended, or Article III of Chapter 48 of this Code, as pertain to fair housing are hereby restated by the City as the provisions of this chapter.
All such unlawful discriminatory practices contained in the Human Rights Law of the State of New York, as amended, and §§ 296 and 296-a, or Article III of Chapter 48 of this Code, as pertaining to fair housing are hereby restated by the City of Albany as the provisions of this chapter. All such procedures as delineated within §§ 296 and 296-a as pertaining to fair housing are hereby replaced by the provisions set forth in § 187-7 of this chapter.
Editor's Note: See §§ 296 and 296-a of the Executive Law.
There is hereby established a Fair Housing Office, which is designated to administer this chapter. The head of such Office shall be appointed by the Mayor of the City of Albany and shall hereinafter be called the "Fair Housing Officer of the City of Albany."
To establish and maintain a principal office within the City as may be necessary.
To function at any place within the City of Albany.
To employ such personnel as may be necessary to effectively carry out its powers and duties.
Upon request, to obtain and utilize the services of all governmental departments and agencies.
To formulate policies to effectuate the purposes of this chapter and to make recommendations to agencies and officers of the City of Albany in aid of such policies and purposes.
To receive and investigate complaints alleging violations of this chapter.
To develop human rights plans and policies for the City and to assist in their execution; to make investigations and studies appropriate to effectuate this chapter; to inform persons of the rights assured and remedies provided under this chapter; to promote goodwill; to review and approve, prior to publication, any form, brochure, application or publication issued or utilized by any City agency or department which contains a statement on nondiscriminatory practices to assure that such statement is in conformance with the provisions of this chapter and Article III of Chapter 48 of this Code; and to minimize or eliminate discrimination.
To render each year to the Mayor and to the Common Council a written report of all of its activities and of its recommendations.
To furnish any person with such technical assistance that the Office deems appropriate to further compliance with the purposes or provisions of this chapter.
Such other powers and duties described hereinafter and as may be designated by the Mayor or otherwise authorized by the Common Council.
Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice may, by himself or by his attorney, make, sign and file with the Office a verified complaint, which shall state the name and address of the person or persons alleged to have committed the unlawful discriminatory practice complained of and which shall set forth the particulars thereof and contain such other information as may be requested by the Office.
After the filing of the complaint, the Office shall make a prompt investigation in connection therewith.
In connection with the filing of a complaint, the Office is authorized to issue subpoenas to require the attendance of witnesses and production of documents as are reasonably necessary for the furtherance of the investigation.
If, in the judgment of the Office, the circumstances so warrant, it may, at any time after the filing of the complaint, endeavor to eliminate such discriminatory practice by conference, conciliation and persuasion.
If the Office, in its discretion, finds it is not feasible to eliminate such unlawful practices by conference, conciliation or persuasion, the Office may report the complaint to the New York State Division of Human Rights under Article 15 of the Executive Law; or, in the alternative, the Office may cause to be issued and served a written notice, together with a copy of the complaint, requiring the person to answer the charges at a hearing at a time and place to be specified in the notice.
If, upon all evidence at the hearing, the Office finds that the person has engaged in any unlawful discriminatory practice, the Office shall state its finding of fact and shall issue and cause to be served on the person an order requiring the person to cease and desist from such unlawful practices and to take such affirmative action which, in the judgment of the Office, will effectuate the purposes of this chapter, including but not limited to an order directing the person to extend full, equal and unsegregated accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges to all persons.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed so as to limit or prohibit investigation by any other governmental unit of competent jurisdiction, nor shall anything contained herein limit any aggrieved party from pursuing any remedy available therefrom. In the event of such a situation, the Office is hereby empowered to place any and all of its material obtained through the investigation at the disposal of such other governmental unit.
In the event that any person fails to comply with the provisions of this chapter, the Corporation Counsel shall conduct all legal proceedings instituted for the enforcement of the preceding sections of this chapter or the recovery of any penalty.
Any person who shall willfully resist, prevent, impede or interfere with the Office or any of its employees or representatives in the performance of duty pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or who shall fail to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation punishable by a fine which shall not exceed $300 in amount or by imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or both.
If any part of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstances is adjudged by a court to be invalid or ineffectual, such judgment shall not affect the remainder of the chapter or its application to any other person or circumstance. This chapter shall supersede all laws inconsistent with it to the extent of such inconsistency, but in all other respects shall be deemed supplemental to such laws.
This chapter shall be effective upon final passage.

References: § 187

§ 187

§ 187

§ 187

§ 187
 § 296
 § 296
 § 187