Pittsburgh human-rights commission outlines enforcement caseload, housing protections and outreach at April meeting

The Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations on April 7 reviewed its current enforcement caseload, described ongoing efforts to add housing-status protections for people with a history of homelessness, and outlined outreach and training plans for landlords, students and community groups.

Executive Director Rachel Shepherd told commissioners the office had 36 open investigations as of the April 3 report and that the commission is handling matters across investigation, conciliation and public-hearing tracks. "We are the civil rights enforcement agency for the city of Pittsburgh. We are here to investigate instances of discrimination," Shepherd said during her director's report.

The commission emphasized outreach and training as a strategy to reduce unreported discrimination. Shepherd said the office conducted its first fair-housing-for-landlords training of the year and plans quarterly sessions targeted at landlords; the commission also plans additional outreach to universities and…