Sept. 4: Omaha Housing Authority reviews policies, approves key projects

The Omaha Housing Authority (OHA) board met Friday morning, beginning at 8:35 a.m., to review ongoing reports, approve action items and adjust its upcoming meeting schedule. CEO Joanie Balk reported that complaint and pest control reports have been updated and uploaded to Spark. The agency averaged about four days to address complaints in the past month, receiving 14 total, five of which were unrelated to housing.

Board members discussed adopting the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, a new state sick leave law set to take effect Oct. 1. Some members questioned whether OHA is subject to the statute. The board approved implementing the law conditionally, pending confirmation that it applies. The board also voted to move the November meeting to Nov. 13 and the December meeting to Dec. 18.

Major projects advanced, including an $18 million bond inducement for Kay Jay and Florence Towers, a lease option agreement combining both sites and a lease agreement for Phase 4 of the Southside Terrace CNI project. The board also approved a policy change allowing families on repayment agreements to transfer to new properties.

Meeting documented by Elizabeth Delaquess

Read full meeting notes here

By Omaha Documenters

Omaha Documenters is a program that empowers citizens to actively participate in local governance by documenting public meetings. This initiative enhances transparency and accountability by making critical information accessible to the community, fostering informed public discourse, and promoting civic engagement. Through its network of dedicated Documenters, the program bridges the gap between government entities and the public, ensuring that decisions affecting the community are transparent and inclusive. For more information and to get involved, visit documenters.org.

By Leah Keinama

Leah Wambui Keinama boasts a robust professional journey, commencing as a systems engineer and integrator within the software industry. In this capacity, she excelled in the conception, design, construction, and deployment of software systems, adeptly managing projects from inception to completion. Transitioning into the nonprofit realm, Leah directed her expertise towards enhancing food systems, with a particular emphasis on soil health, regenerative agriculture, and bolstering food accessibility while fostering resilient communities. Her repertoire includes comprehensive program design skills coupled with a profound commitment to community engagement. Leah's fervor for cultivating networks and forging meaningful connections underscores her dedication to advancing organizational goals.

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