Vermont Human Rights Commission faces backlog as discrimination complaints surge

In a recent meeting of the Vermont House Appropriations Committee, officials from the Human Rights Commission (HRC) highlighted significant challenges in addressing a surge of discrimination complaints across the state. The HRC, which investigates complaints related to discrimination, is currently facing a severe backlog and an overwhelming increase in new inquiries, particularly related to housing and disability rights.

The HRC's director reported that the agency has only seven staff members, including three attorney investigators, which is insufficient to manage the rising caseload. Last year, the average time to close a case was a staggering 649 days, although recent efforts have reduced this to approximately 470 days. Despite this improvement, the director emphasized that the current processing times remain unacceptable, especially as the agency continues to receive over 100 new inquiries each month.

The increase in complaints is largely attributed to a growing number of cases involving individuals with disabilities, who have specific rights under state and federal laws. The director noted that housing-related complaints have doubled this year, exacerbated by the ongoing housing crisis, which has left many individuals unable to secure housing due to discrimination based on disability, public assistance status, or family composition.

The HRC's ability to accept new cases is severely limited, with the director stating that many individuals are turned away weekly due to a lack of resources. The agency has no full-time intake staff, and the current administrative workload is unmanageable. As a result, the director has called for additional staffing to help alleviate the backlog and improve response times.

During the meeting, committee members expressed concern about the overlap between the HRC and the Attorney General's office, particularly regarding the handling of civil rights cases. The director clarified that while the Attorney General's office processes employment discrimination complaints, the HRC is responsible for housing discrimination cases. However, with the current backlog, there are no alternative entities available to assist individuals seeking help.

The HRC has a contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to conduct fair housing investigations, which provides some federal funding based on the number of cases processed. However, the director indicated that without additional staff, the agency cannot maximize this funding potential.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the urgent need for increased resources and staffing at the HRC to effectively address the rising tide of discrimination complaints in Vermont. As the agency continues to grapple with its current limitations, the implications for vulnerable populations seeking justice remain significant. The committee's discussions will likely influence future budget considerations and staffing decisions aimed at enhancing the HRC's capacity to serve the community.