Omaha Housing Authority faces federal class action alleging multiple violations

OMAHA, Nebraska (WOWT) – The Omaha Housing Authority is now facing a federal class action lawsuit.

Many tenants believe OHA withheld information that would have saved them money and avoided some evictions. The lawsuit covers past and present tenants who were allegedly affected.

The suit alleges that OHA failed to inform tenants that the agency could waive the minimum $50 monthly rent if families were experiencing financial hardship. It also alleges that OHA not only hid information about the waiver, but added late fees and even initiated eviction proceedings if tenants could not pay.

“So the minimum rent is $50 a month, plus a $25 late payment penalty,” explained lawyer Diane Uchiumiya. “I think to a lot of people that doesn’t seem like a lot, but if you don’t have the income, you see that’s 50 per cent of my rent.”

The other issue raised by the lawsuit is that tenants whose rent increased were not offered an informal or formal hearing as required by law.

“Some people who were facing eviction proceedings were being denied information about this statutory right, and so they were being evicted instead of being granted these statutory rights under the federal housing law.”

The suit alleges that OHA has violated and continues to violate federal law – and that these violations have been going on for several years.

“The Omaha Housing Authority, in our view, has not provided the notice that it should have provided at all levels,” said attorney Pamela Car. “That means it affects a lot of people, and in some cases, everyone.”

In one alleged incident, the suit says a tenant who was never informed of her right to apply for a financial hardship exemption sold her blood plasma to raise money. She had to stop when her iron levels fell too low.

“It's an unbelievable situation, and I think it's extremely cruel if someone comes to you and says this is what I'm doing to try to pay for it. »

Both attorneys representing the tenants say they hope things can be worked out with OHA.

“I think we hope that the Omaha Housing Authority will look at the federal law and, in the future, try to comply with it based on what the law says and what we’re alleging. We also hope that they will credit people who have paid money that they might not have had to pay if they had followed the law. They’re not told how to apply. Instead, they’re potentially homeless. Where do they go? Where are they supposed to go? What are they supposed to do if they can’t stay in public housing because they can’t pay?”

OHA told 6 News it cannot comment on pending litigation. Attorneys said they are awaiting a response from the housing authority.

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