Vermont Human Rights Commission warns intake backlog, seeks more staff as HUD narrows dual‑filing

The Vermont Human Rights Commission told the House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 10 that it is operating with seven exempt positions, a growing backlog of intakes and unassigned investigations, and uncertainty over portions of federal contract funding tied to dual‑filed fair housing cases.

"I'm Big Hartman. I'm the executive director and general counsel at the State of Vermont Human Rights Commission," said Big Hartman, introducing the agency's FY26 budget request and describing current operations and staff duties. Hartman said the commission receives a HUD contract that pays a base administrative fee plus per‑case payments for dual‑filed fair housing matters; HUD funding has historically been less than $90,000 a year. For FY26, Hartman said HUD funding is budgeted at $92,000, about 8 percent of the commission's proposed $1,135,000 budget.

The commission described how intakes and investigations are handled and where the office is strained. Hartman said the office has one executive staff assistant who historically handled all intakes; the commission now spreads intake work…