Council approves two resident commissioners to Omaha Housing Authority; one nomination drew a no vote

The Omaha City Council confirmed two resident commissioners to the Omaha Housing Authority (OHA) on Jan. 14. The first nomination, Kenya Barnes Hayward, was approved 7–0. The second nomination, Abd Aziz Salad Hussain, was approved 6–1 after one council member voted no because the nominee was not present at the meeting.

Joanie Balk, chief executive officer of the Omaha Housing Authority, described the recruitment process required by state law and explained OHA mailed notification packets to 6,397 households. Balk said OHA received 65 applications for the resident commissioner openings, screened candidates and sent the full set of applications to the mayor’s office for appointments.

Balk said the resident commissioner role is unpaid and that the state law change implemented by last year’s Legislature (LB 8 40) added two resident commissioner positions for OHA. She told council she would provide documentation supporting the mailings and the application list on request.

Barnes Hayward, who lives in OHA housing, spoke briefly in support of her nomination and noted prior volunteer and resident advisory experience. The council voted unanimously to confirm her appointment.

Council discussion of the second nominee, Abd Aziz Salad Hussain — who was not in the chamber because he was working — drew comments from Councilmember Johnson and others about the value of meeting nominees in person. Councilmember Melton and others noted Hussain’s regular work schedule and civic involvement; Councilmember Johnson said she did not feel she had sufficient information to support the nomination without an in‑person appearance and voted no. The measure passed 6–1.

Balk said OHA will continue outreach on issues including pest control and the agency’s implementation of statutory changes. She described steps OHA has taken to address pest complaints, including adding staff and piloting room heat‑treatment systems at towers.