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16 <br /> ATTACF 24= A <br /> FY' 97 <br /> Criteria for Processing <br /> To determine whether Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) <br /> participants have acceptably processed dual-filed discriminatory <br /> housing complaints, the criteria set forth in this document are <br /> to be followed. The Government Technical Representative (GTR) <br /> has the responsibility for the technical direction and evaluation <br /> of the agency' s complaint processing performance. <br /> The GTR must ensure that one payment is approved for <br /> complaints which involve the same transaction or a common nucleus <br /> of operative facts . That is, complaints involving multiple <br /> respondents, such as the manager, owner, and assistant manager of <br /> the same property, should all be included in the same complaint . <br /> Likewise, multiple complainants who are all members of the same <br /> household should be included in the same complaint . Where it is <br /> determined that the agency has filed separate complaints in such <br /> instances, the GTR must authorize one payment . Commission or <br /> Agency initiated complaints are to be counted for payment . <br /> FHAP participants must commence proceedings with respect to <br /> the complaint before the end of the thirtieth day after the <br /> receipt of the complaint . If it is determined that the agency <br /> has not commenced proceedings with respect to the complaint <br /> within the appropriate time frame, the GTR may reactivate the <br /> complaint . The written agreement between the agency and HUD <br /> defines commence proceedings as follows : the agency has received <br /> a complaint, assigned a case number, determined acceptability, <br /> and assigned the complaint for investigation and resolution. <br /> The GTR must confer with the appropriate agency officials to <br /> determine whether a complaint will be reactivated when it is <br /> determined that an agency has commenced proceedings within the <br /> appropriate timeframe, but has not carried forward proceedings <br /> with reasonable promptness . Reactivation for this reason must <br /> not be a unilateral decision. The GTR must confer with the <br /> appropriate agency official to determine the reason (s) for the <br /> delay in processing. If, as a result of the conference, it is <br /> determined that the agency will proceed expeditiously, the <br /> complaint may be left with the agency for a reasonable period of <br /> time . The agency official will be required to commit to a date _ <br /> certain for the completion of the complaint investigation. _ <br /> Each request for payment must comply with the conditions and <br /> requirements set forth in the cooperative agreement . <br /> Additionally, the GTR may deny payment when requests are not <br /> submitted in the prescribed format described in section A. 2 of <br />