[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Chatham 11-28-1980 by L.L. No. 4-1980. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
In accordance with Title VIII of the United States Code and the Human Rights Law of the State of New York (Article 15 of the Executive Law of the State of New York), as amended, it is the policy of the Village of Chatham to provide fair housing.
B. 
The purposes of this chapter are in accord with Title VIII of the United States Code and Article 15 of the Executive Law of the State of New York, as the same apply to fair housing.
All definitions of Article 15 of the Executive Law of the State of New York, as amended, as pertain to fair housing are incorporated by reference herein.
All discriminatory practices described and contained in §§ 296 and 296-a of the Executive Law of the State of New York as pertain to fair housing are hereby incorporated by reference as the provisions of this chapter. The procedure delineated in §§ 296 and 296-a of the Executive Law of the State of New York as pertain to fair housing is hereby replaced by the procedure set forth in § 41-6 of this chapter for the handling and processing of complaints for alleged violations of this chapter.
There is hereby established a Fair Housing Officer for the Village of Chatham, who is designated as the administrator of this chapter. The Fair Housing Officer shall be appointed by the Mayor of the Village of Chatham with the approval and consent of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Chatham.
The Fair Housing Officer shall have the following functions, powers and duties:
A. 
To formulate policies to effectuate the purposes of this chapter and to make recommendations to the boards and officers of the Village of Chatham in aid of such policies and purposes.
B. 
To receive and investigate complaints alleging violations of this chapter.
C. 
Upon request, to obtain and utilize the services of all governmental departments and agencies.
D. 
To develop human rights plans and policies for the Village of Chatham and to assist in their execution; to make investigations and studies appropriate to effectuate this chapter; to inform persons of the rights assured and the remedies provided under this chapter; to promote good will; and to minimize and/or eliminate discrimination.
E. 
To render annually to the Mayor and to the Board of Trustees a written report of his activities and recommendations.
F. 
Such other powers and duties as may hereinafter be designated and authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Chatham.
A. 
Any person claiming to be aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice may, by himself or by his attorney, make, sign and file with the Fair Housing Officer 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 Fair Housing Officer.
B. 
Upon the filing of a complaint, the Fair Housing Officer shall make a prompt investigation in connection therewith.
C. 
If, in the judgment of the Fair Housing Officer, the circumstances so warrant, he may, at any time after the filing of the complaint, endeavor to eliminate such discriminatory practice by conference, conciliation and persuasion.
D. 
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed so as to limit or prohibit the 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 an investigation by any other governmental unit, the Fair Housing Officer is hereby empowered to place any and all of his material obtained through such investigation at the disposal of such other governmental unit.