Advocates urge D.C. Council to fully fund Office of Human Rights for discrimination enforcement

The Budget Oversight Hearing for the District of Columbia's Office of Human Rights (OHR) took place on June 10, 2025, chaired by Councilmember Brianne Nadeau. The meeting focused on the proposed budget for OHR and the critical need for adequate funding and staffing to effectively enforce civil rights protections in the district.

The hearing began with testimony from representatives of First Shift, a legal organization advocating for parenting and caregiving workers. They emphasized the importance of fully funding the Fairness in Human Rights Amendment Act of 2023, which aims to enhance the enforcement of employee protections against discrimination. The organization highlighted that OHR requires funding for three additional staff positions to implement the new legislation effectively. Currently, OHR operates with 63 employees, significantly below the necessary staffing level of 78.5, and is facing a hiring freeze that could further reduce its capacity.

Testimony also addressed the backlog of discrimination cases at OHR, with advocates noting that delays have real consequences for victims. Some businesses involved in complaints have closed while cases remain unresolved, complicating the pursuit of justice for affected individuals. The representatives urged the committee to support lifting the hiring freeze and to ensure OHR is adequately funded to handle the anticipated increase in cases, particularly as federal resources may become less accessible.

The Equal Rights Center (ERC) also provided testimony, calling for the unfreezing of two housing investigator positions to address the backlog of housing discrimination complaints. They reported that OHR has struggled to fill these positions due to the mayor's hiring freeze, which has hindered the agency's ability to process complaints efficiently. The ERC stressed that without sufficient staffing, the investigation of discrimination claims could come to a standstill, denying justice to residents.

Both organizations underscored the importance of OHR's role in protecting civil rights, especially in light of potential federal funding cuts and rollbacks in civil rights protections. They urged the council to prioritize funding for OHR in the upcoming fiscal year to ensure that the agency can fulfill its mission effectively.

In conclusion, the hearing highlighted the urgent need for increased funding and staffing at OHR to combat discrimination and uphold civil rights in the District of Columbia. The committee's support for these requests will be crucial in enabling OHR to operate at full capacity and serve the community effectively.