(1) Any person aggrieved by an act prohibited or alleged to be prohibited by this Chapter may file with the Director of Community Development a statement of complaint upon forms prescribed by the City and sworn to under oath by the person aggrieved. Such statement of complaint shall state the name of the person aggrieved, and the name or other suitable identification of the person who is alleged to have committed the unfair housing practice, the address of the housing accommodation concerning which the alleged unfair housing practice has been committed, and a brief statement of the facts giving right to the statement of complaint.

(2) The Director of Community Development or his designee shall investigate and review each statement of complaint to determine whether there are reasonable grounds for believing that an unfair housing practice has been committed.

(3) If the Director of Community Development determines that such reasonable grounds exist, it shall issue its complaint against the person who is alleged to have committed the unfair housing practice. Such complaint need not be limited to matters contained in the aggrieved person's statement of complaint, but such complaint issued by the Director of Community Development shall be limited to matters which are pertinent to offenses under this Chapter. Such complaint shall state the name of the respondent, his or her address, and the name of the person aggrieved, the address of the housing accommodation concerning which the alleged unfair housing practice has been committed, a statement that the Director of Community Development has reasonable grounds to believe that the respondent has committed an unfair housing practice, and a brief statement of the facts upon which the Director of Community Development bases such a belief.

(4) The Director of Community Development shall cause a copy of the complaint or complaints to be served upon the respondent by certified or registered mail, or by personal service, stating the time and place of hearing on the complaint or complaints.

(5) The Director of Community Development shall attempt, by means of education, conference, conciliation, mediation, negotiation, and persuasion, to eliminate any unfair housing practice which is the subject of a statement of complaint filed with the City.

The Director of Community Development is specifically authorized and encouraged to engage in informal discussions with respondent, or his or her representative, for the purpose of reaching an agreement to the effect that any violations of this Chapter will not be continued or repeated. Upon arriving at such an agreement satisfactory to the Director of Community Development, such proceedings shall be terminated; however, the Director of Community Development shall attempt to arrange a means of follow-up to determine that the terms of such agreement are being followed.

(6) In the event that the Director of Community Development is unable to eliminate the unfair practice which is the subject of a statement of complaint filed with the commission, by the means provided in subsection (8)* of this section, and upon entry of findings to that effect, the complainant will be advised to contact the Washington State Human Rights Commission for further assistance. (Ord. 21-15 §6, 2021; Ord. 07-22 §3, 2007; Ord. 90-7 §2, 1990; Ord. 81-6 §§8, 9, 1981; Ord. 80-27 §1, 1980; Ord. B-279 §4, 1976; Ord. B-85 §12, 1973).