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Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission highlights code updates, outreach and schedules Dec. 10 public hearing
Summary
At its Dec. 1 meeting the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations reviewed outreach and partnerships, reported updated city code language expanding protected-status coverage, announced a Dec. 10 public hearing and approved routine items including the 2026 meeting calendar.
Executive Director Rachel reported on the commission's recent outreach, enforcement caseload and policy work at the Dec. 1, 2025 meeting of the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations.
Rachel said the commission will start a monthly newsletter for its 600-plus subscribers and is adding a link for presentation requests to increase community engagement. "We are gonna try to do monthly newsletters from now on," she said, noting the newsletter will mirror material already prepared for director's reports.
The director emphasized the commission recently secured city code updates that were passed Nov. 10. "We did get our code updates passed, on November 10," Rachel said, describing the changes as updates to the definitions for "protected class," "protected activity" and the inclusion of disparate-impact language so the commission can continue to address those cases locally even when federal dual-filing options are limited.
Rachel also described several partnership and outreach efforts: talks with Duquesne University about restarting a housing clinic to help unrepresented complainants; meetings with staff from the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to brief state investigators and attorneys on local protections; participation in an IORA Atlantic regional meeting to coordinate case-management resources; and outreach to judicial offices to disseminate domestic-violence and housing-protections information.
On enforcement, Rachel provided a snapshot of caseload figures: "We're down to 67 open investigations, 56 pending intakes, 13 cases that are awaiting a response and an assignment to an investigator, [and] 6 pending mandatory conciliations," and she noted a recent long-delayed settlement in which a respondent accepted responsibility.
The commission also described education and community events: fair housing presentations for University of Pittsburgh students, trainings for landlords (with a session Dec. 4 at Cohatch Southside listed in the director's report), a know-your-rights presentation for a local wellness center, and participation in the Urban League Thanksgiving distribution where the commission handed out informational materials and 1,000 winter beanies.
Rachel announced a public hearing scheduled for Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. in the same meeting room (902 City County Building) and reminded attendees that audio or video recording is not permitted in the hearing room. She said the hearing is expected to take one day and invited the public to attend or observe.
Votes at a glance - Minutes: Motion to accept meeting minutes moved by Speaker 3 and seconded by Speaker 4; the chair noted the minutes were accepted following "Aye" responses. - 2026 meeting calendar: Speaker 2 presented a corrected calendar and, after a second and no abstentions, the chair said the calendar will be posted for 2026. - Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote.
The commission also paused to recognize the recent passing of Paulo Hanlon, described by commissioners as a longtime disability advocate and founder of Pittsburgh for Public Transit. The meeting adjourned after routine closing remarks.
