Item B: HRC - Recommendations from HR Listening Project

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Tacoma, Washington Primary Functions of Human Rights and Human Services Department and Staff: There are two divisions within the department: Human Rights and Human Services. Within the Human Rights Division is housed the Human Rights Commission, Landlord Tenant Program, Fair Housing, Equal Employment and Public Discrimination, the Commission on Disabilities and ADA Program Coordinator, and the Committee for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. The Landlord/Tenant Specialist receives and investigates complaints regarding housing issues. The primary function of the Landlord/Tenant program is to receive, analyze, and resolve landlord-tenant disputes. They offer Dispute Resolution in regarding rent, deposit, repair and maintenance issues as well as code violations. The Investigative Division pursues discrimination complaints regarding other matters. Office staff typically receives complaints and aid residents in filling out the necessary paperwork and supplying all of the required documents or information regarding the case. At this point, the party charged with the violation is notified and the Investigators attempt to convene an early settlement meeting before the investigation begins. If an agreement can be reached between the two parties, a no-charge settlement will be signed promising that no future charges will be made. If early settlement is not possible, the Investigators will hold a fact finding conference during which both parties will have a chance to present their cases. It is important to note that the Investigators are impartial and are not working on behalf of the charging party. If it’s discovered that a violation in the code did occur, staff will attempt to reach conciliation between both parties. If an agreement is reached, it goes before the Human Rights Commission to either uphold or reject the terms. If conciliation cannot be reached, the case must go the city’s Hearing Examiner for public hearing. According to current staff, most cases are either settled in early settlement or conciliation after a fact finding conference. ADA Coordinator: Ensures the timely and ongoing compliance of programs, practices, policies and facilities of the City of Tacoma with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA Coordinator investigates constituent grievances; coordinates with other appropriate agencies to resolve complaints regarding discrimination on the basis of disability; conducts regular reviews of City facilities, programs, and policies; works with City Council, citizen commissions, and staff to clarify City responsibilities pertaining to persons with disabilities; acts as staff liaison to the Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities, and coordinates the training of departmental ADA representatives and other City staff to ensure that all City operations are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 21 | Page