Commission on Human Relations
Section 15 · Pages 89–94 · 4 tables · includes narrative
Key changes
- Budget increases 6.6% ($51K), led by $35K more in Personnel-Employee Benefits
- Staffing unchanged at 8 FTE
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Commission on Human Relations
Commission on Human Relations 
Mission
The Commission on Human Relations is the official Civil Rights enforcement agency for the City of Pittsburgh. The Commission is empowered by Chapters 651-659 of the Pittsburgh City Code to investigate instances of discrimination, conduct outreach and provide education to the community, conduct research, and recommend additional protections in the City Code to provide all people in Pittsburgh with equal opportunities. The Commission’s mission is to decrease unfair treatment and discrimination by promoting knowledge, justice and understanding among communities in the City of Pittsburgh.
Departmental/Bureau Overview
The Commission receives and investigates complaints of discrimination in the areas of housing, employment, and public accommodations within the jurisdiction of the city. The Commission also provides outreach and education services regarding rights and responsibilities under the Fair Practices Ordinances of the City Code. These functions are performed within the following program areas: Unlawful Practices Administration and Enforcement - As provided in the City Code, the Commission’s mandate is to receive, investigate, and adjudicate complaints of discriminatory practices in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations. This office is also charged with the responsibility for the receipt, investigation, and adjudication of complaints alleging civil rights violations by City employees and representatives in the exercise of their duties. The Commission is charged with seeking the satisfactory resolution or adjustment of all complaints through negotiation, mediation, and conciliation. Should resolution of a complaint not be possible through these means, the Commission may also hold public hearings which result in orders enforceable in court. Inter-Group/Police Community Relations - The Commission studies, investigates, holds public hearings, and conciliates issues in the community that adversely affect inter-group relations, negatively impact the livability of city neighborhoods, and lead to civil unrest.
Education and Outreach - The Commission provides information on the laws it enforces and its work through the use of a wide variety of tools, such as presentations and programs specifically targeted to reach the particular needs of all segments of the population, including the City workforce. These services complement the Commission’s work in the area of enforcement and serve to reduce prejudice, enhance inter-group relations, increase understanding of our need for unity, and bring about a greater level of awareness and compliance with the law. The Commission also works to further the City’s commitment to human rights.
2025 Accomplishments
- Celebrated 70 years as a civil rights enforcement agency by holding a press conference and multiple educational events.
- Added specific protections for discrimination in the medical field based on a person’s gender identity or gender expression.
- Held the second annual Employment Discrimination: The Administrative Process continued legal education course for local attorneys.
Position Summary
The labor agreement for AFSCME 2719 members expires on December 31, 2025. This budget reflects a 0% salary increase for members as conversations continue through Q4. The City anticipates that these numbers will change.
Lists authorized positions with FTE counts and pay grades.
| Title | 2025 FTE | Rate/ Grade | Hours/ Months | 2025 Budget | 2026 FTE | Rate/ Grade | Hours/ Months | 2026 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | 1 | 32G | 12 | 110,718 | 1 | 32G | 12 | 114,046 |
| Deputy Director | 1 | 24G | 12 | 80,330 | 1 | 24G | 12 | 82,742 |
| Senior Investigator, Field | 4 | U08-H | 12 | 256,684 | 4 | U08-H | 12 | 256,684 |
| Fiscal & Contracting Coordinator | 1 | 16G | 12 | 57,574 | 1 | 16G | 12 | 59,301 |
| Administrative Assistant | 1 | 15G | 12 | 54,974 | 1 | 15G | 12 | 56,618 |
| Total Full-Time Permanent Positions | 8 | 560,280 | 8 | 569,391 |
Lists authorized positions with FTE counts and pay grades.
| Title | 2025 FTE | Rate/ Grade | Hours/ Months | 2025 Budget | 2026 FTE | Rate/ Grade | Hours/ Months | 2026 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary, Part-Time, and Seasonal Allowances | ||||||||
| Student Interns | — | 15.00-20.00 | — | 5,000 | — | 15.00-20.00 | — | 5,000 |
| — | 5,000 | — | 5,000 | |||||
| Total Full-Time Permanent Positions | 8 | 560,280 | 8 | 569,391 | ||||
| Temporary, Part-Time, and Seasonal Allowances | — | 5,000 | — | 5,000 | ||||
| Total Full-Time Positions and Net Salaries | 8 | 565,280 | 8 | 574,391 |
Subclass Detail
Compares actual, budgeted, and proposed spending across fiscal years.
| 2024 Actual | 2025 Budget | 2026 Budget | Increase/ (Decrease) | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditures | |||||
| 51 - PERSONNEL-SALARIES & WAGES | 488,254 | 565,280 | 582,117 | 16,837 | 3.0% |
| 51101 - Regular | 479,661 | 560,280 | 577,117 | 16,836 | |
| 51103 - Part-Time | — | 5,000 | 5,000 | — | |
| 51207 - Leave Buyback | 6,794 | — | — | — | |
| 51401 - Premium Pay | 1,799 | — | — | — | |
| 52 - PERSONNEL-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS | 131,218 | 145,280 | 179,941 | 34,661 | 23.9% |
| 52101 - Health Insurance | 74,988 | 79,908 | 113,621 | 33,713 | |
| 52111 - Other Insurance/Benefits | 10,762 | 11,515 | 11,688 | 173 | |
| 52201 - Social Security | 35,936 | 43,857 | 44,532 | 675 | |
| 52601 - Personal Leave Buyback | 9,532 | 10,000 | 10,100 | 100 | |
| 53 - PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL SERVICES | 17,965 | 59,258 | 55,408 | (3,850) | (6.5)% |
| 53101 - Administrative Fees | (2) | 600 | 600 | — | |
| 53105 - Recording/Filing Fees | — | 1,800 | 6,000 | 4,200 | |
| 53301 - Workforce Training | 565 | 3,338 | 3,338 | — | |
| 53509 - Computer Maintenance | 2,491 | 7,370 | 7,260 | (110) | |
| 53517 - Legal Fees | 13,755 | 25,000 | 25,000 | — | |
| 53901 - Professional Services | 1,156 | 21,150 | 13,210 | (7,940) | |
| 55 - OTHER SERVICES | 1,958 | 2,400 | 5,300 | 2,900 | 120.8% |
| 55305 - Promotional | 1,832 | 1,500 | 5,000 | 3,500 | |
| 55309 - Regulatory | 126 | 150 | 150 | — | |
| 55701 - Transportation | — | 750 | 150 | (600) | |
| 56 - SUPPLIES | 3,281 | 3,800 | 4,750 | 950 | 25.0% |
| 56101 - Office Supplies | 1,450 | 3,050 | 3,500 | 450 | |
| 56151 - Operational Supplies | 1,831 | 750 | 1,250 | 500 | |
| 58 - MISCELLANEOUS | 15,000 | — | — | — | —% |
| 58105 - Judgments | 15,000 | — | — | — | |
| Expenditures Total | 657,676 | 776,018 | 827,516 | 51,498 | 6.6% |
Five Year Forecast
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS 2026 Expenditures by Subclass 56 - SUPPLIES 55 - OTHER SERVICES 53 - PROF. & TECHNICAL SERVICES
52 - PERSONNEL-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
51 - PERSONNEL-SALARIES & WAGES
Projects budget figures across multiple future years.
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenditures | |||||
| 51 - PERSONNEL-SALARIES & WAGES | 582,117 | 593,162 | 604,456 | 610,467 | 616,562 |
| 52 - PERSONNEL-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS | 179,941 | 195,147 | 200,479 | 205,431 | 210,538 |
| 53 - PROF. & TECHNICAL SERVICES | 55,408 | 55,408 | 55,408 | 55,408 | 55,408 |
| 55 - OTHER SERVICES | 5,300 | 5,300 | 5,300 | 5,300 | 5,300 |
| 56 - SUPPLIES | 4,750 | 4,750 | 4,750 | 4,750 | 4,750 |
| Total | 827,515 | 853,767 | 870,393 | 881,357 | 892,557 |
| % Change from Prior Year | 6.6% | 3.2% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 1.3% |