(OMAHA, NE) -- The Omaha Housing Authority announced Monday it is suing the state of Nebraska, challenging a new law that mandates public housing agencies cover the cost of court-appointed legal counsel for tenants in eviction proceedings.
The provision, part of LB 840, is set to go into effect on July 1. In its lawsuit, OHA is calling for that section of the law to be declared unconstitutional.
OHA CEO Joanie Balk called the legal action a "last resort," stating the decision was made only after repeated unsuccessful attempts to resolve the issue with the state.
The housing authority said that while it fully supports tenants having access to legal representation, it is prohibited from using its federal funds for this purpose. According to the OHA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has authorized it to proceed with legal action.
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