This chapter shall briefly be known as the "Fair Housing Local Law."
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply
to the following terms:
DISCRIMINATION
Any difference in treatment based on race, creed, color, national
origin or ancestry, including segregation, except that it shall not be discrimination
for any religious or denominational institution to devote its facilities,
exclusively or primarily, to or for members of its own religion or denomination
or to give preference to such members or to make such selection as is calculated
by such institution to promote the religious principles for which it is established
or maintained.
DWELLING
Includes this term as it is defined in § 4, Subdivision
4, of the Multiple Dwelling Law of the State of New York.
FAMILY
Includes this term as it is defined in § 4, Subdivision
5, of the Multiple Dwelling Law of the State of New York.
HOUSING ACCOMMODATION
Includes any building, structure or portion thereof which is used
or occupied, as the home, residence or sleeping place of one or more human
beings.
OWNER-OCCUPIED
Includes physical possession by the owner and/or his family or technical
possession by retention of title and nonreliquishment of possession to someone
else by rental or otherwise.
TEMPORARY PERIOD
A period not to exceed one year where an owner relinquishes possession
of his housing accommodation for a period not exceeding one year with intent
to return to said housing accommodations within said one-year period, or less,
as a permanent domicile.
There is hereby appointed a Fair Housing Officer. Such Officer shall
be appointed by the Supervisor with the advice and consent of the Town Board.
The person appointed shall be a resident of the Town of Goshen and shall serve
without compensation. He or she may be removed by the Supervisor with the
consent of the Town Board for inefficiency, neglect of duty, excessive absenteeism,
misconduct or malfeasance in office, after being given a written statement
of the charges and an opportunity to be heard thereon.
The Fair Housing Officer shall have the following functions, powers
and duties:
A. To establish and maintain its principal office at the
Town Hall.
B. To formulate policies, rules and procedures and the necessary
forms required to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
C. To issue such publications and such results of investigations
and research as in his or her judgement will tend to promote good will and
minimize or eliminate discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex
or national origin.
D. To consult with local realtors, housing developers and
home-builders and commercial lenders on their fair housing responsibilities.
E. To review existing and proposed revisions to local land
use plans and controls to determine any inconsistencies with the purposes
of this chapter.
F. To investigate all complaints alleging violations of
this chapter.
G. To submit each year to the Supervisor and to the Town
Board a full written report of all fair housing activities and such recommendations
as may be required to better effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally for the
accomplishment of the purposes thereof. Nothing contained in this chapter
shall be deemed to repeal any of the provisions of the civil rights laws or
any other law of this state relating to discrimination because of race, creed,
color or national origin. The procedure herein provided shall, while pending,
be exclusive, and the final determination therein shall exclude any other
action, civil or criminal, based on the same grievance of the individual concerned.
If such individual institutes any action based on such grievance without resorting
to the procedure provided in this chapter, he may not subsequently resort
to the procedure herein.