Nebraska Lawmakers Force Omaha Housing Authority to Act on Bed Bugs

After years of resident complaints and a class action lawsuit, the Nebraska Legislature has advanced a bill that directly targets the Omaha Housing Authority’s handling of bed bug infestations in public housing.

LB287, introduced by the Urban Affairs Committee and championed by Sen. Terrell McKinney, would require Omaha’s housing agency to inspect, disclose, and remediate bed bug infestations — and fast. If passed into law, it would force OHA to:

• Inspect every unit before it’s rented
• Disclose nearby infestations or treatments to new tenants
• Stop renting units that are known or suspected to be infested
• Acknowledge complaints within 10 days and begin treatment within 21 days
• Keep written records of all complaints and actions for two years

"It is very heartbreaking that people — Nebraskans — have to live in such conditions,” said Sen. McKinney, referencing the current class action lawsuit against OHA." ¹

The bill also gives the City of Omaha the legal power to regulate OHA directly through city ordinances — something city leaders previously claimed they lacked the authority to do. ¹

This legislation is a response to years of inaction, resident frustration, and worsening infestations across OHA-managed properties. It’s not just about bugs — it’s about power, dignity, and basic standards of living.

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Sources

1. Unicameral Update, March 27, 2025

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