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Bedbugs Spark Class Action Lawsuit and Push for New Law Targeting Omaha Housing Authority Legal action and state legislation aim to tackle widespread infestations and improve tenant protections.

In a recent legal and legislative move, advocates are seeking relief for Omaha public housing residents battling persistent bedbug infestations. The action includes a class action lawsuit filed against the Omaha Housing Authority (OHA) and a new state bill that could change how bedbug infestations in public housing are addressed.

The lawsuit, filed in Douglas County District Court on Monday, claims the OHA is responsible for bedbug infestations affecting over 1,700 low-income residents living in OHA apartment towers. Advocates hope the legal action will bring compensation for tenants, including potential rent refunds, while also pushing for long-term solutions to the ongoing issue.

Alongside the lawsuit, State Senator Terrell McKinney is pushing for a state law that would provide stronger legal support for tenants dealing with bedbug infestations. The proposed legislation, which McKinney plans to introduce this month, aims to hold public housing authorities accountable by requiring them to disclose infestations to potential tenants and notify current residents of ongoing issues.

McKinney emphasized the need for a multi-faceted approach, saying, “We’ve got to hit them from all sides.”

Bedbug Infestation: A Hidden, Unwelcome Problem

The bedbugs in question have been wreaking havoc in OHA buildings for several years, with the infestation dating back to 2016. A disturbing 38-page lawsuit, which includes photographs of the bugs and physical evidence of the damages inflicted on tenants, reveals that many residents have suffered from painful welts, sleeplessness, and fear. The infestation, described as intense and insidious, has left many OHA residents isolated and struggling with physical and emotional harm.

Omaha public housing bedbug lawsuit

For the residents, the consequences go beyond just uncomfortable bites. Bedbugs are notorious for traveling through walls and bedding, and they are known to latch onto sleeping individuals. This makes them particularly hard to control, as they often spread unnoticed before being discovered. Legal experts involved in the case believe that the OHA’s failure to properly address the issue has exacerbated the problem, leaving tenants vulnerable to the pests’ harmful effects.

A Multi-Faceted Approach to Tackling the Problem

The legal team behind the lawsuit, led by attorneys Steven Wandro and Jeffrey Lipman, are no strangers to fighting for tenants’ rights in bedbug cases. Lipman, who has dealt with similar class action lawsuits across the U.S., describes the OHA infestation as one of the worst cases he has encountered. He stressed that eradicating the pests would require substantial financial investment, likely in the millions of dollars.

“We can’t just treat the symptoms. We need a permanent solution,” Lipman said, adding that ongoing efforts would likely require the establishment of permanent, on-site pest control crews. However, both Lipman and Wandro are confident that proven treatment protocols can rid the OHA buildings of the bedbugs.

“We are in an era where there’s no reason anyone should be dealing with bedbugs,” Wandro said.

OHA’s Response to Bedbug Complaints

In response to the lawsuit, Joanie Balk, CEO of the OHA, stated that the authority had not yet reviewed the legal complaint but reiterated the housing authority’s commitment to addressing pest control. The OHA employs an internal pest control team and contracts with outside services to handle infestations, she explained.

Balk also noted that the OHA follows practices recommended by the Douglas County Health Department and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which funds public housing and rent subsidy programs. In recent months, the OHA has also introduced heat treatment rooms designed to eliminate pests. These heat rooms are part of the authority’s expanded efforts to tackle bedbug problems more efficiently.

Despite these measures, residents and their advocates argue that the problem is far from resolved. The lawsuit and proposed state legislation aim to ensure that the OHA takes stronger and more immediate action to address the issue and provide relief to those affected.

The Path Forward: Can Lawmakers Solve the Crisis?

With the class action lawsuit gaining traction, Nebraska lawmakers are now considering legislative options to better protect tenants. The proposed bill would give tenants more transparency by requiring housing authorities to disclose infestations. It would also ensure that residents are informed of any ongoing pest problems within their buildings. Advocates hope the bill will provide a legal framework that mandates timely and effective pest control efforts.

Senator McKinney, who is leading the charge for this new law, has been vocal about the need for change. He has pointed out that previous state legislation aimed at strengthening tenant protections failed to address bedbugs specifically, leaving many residents vulnerable to infestations in public housing.

“We’ve got to get this right,” McKinney said. “It’s about making sure people can live in safe and healthy homes.”

Whether the lawsuit and the proposed legislation will result in lasting change remains to be seen, but for Omaha’s public housing residents, these efforts represent hope for a future free of bedbugs.

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