(a) Upon the filing of a complaint under § 103.40, the Assistant Secretary will initiate an investigation. The purposes of an investigation are:

(1) To obtain information concerning the events or transactions that relate to the alleged discriminatory housing practice identified in the complaint.

(2) To document policies or practices of the respondent involved in the alleged discriminatory housing practice raised in the complaint.

(3) To develop factual data necessary for the General Counsel to make a determination under § 103.400 whether reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, and for the Assistant Secretary to make a determination under § 103.400 that no reasonable cause exists to believe that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, and to take other actions provided under this part.

(b) Upon the written direction of the Assistant Secretary, HUD may initate an investigation of housing practices to determine whether a complaint should be filed under subpart B of this part. Such investigations will be conducted in accordance with the procedures described under this subpart.