OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – The Omaha Housing Authority announced Friday that it has contracted with several local vendors to provide snow removal and janitorial services at its public and affordable housing estates.

“Providing safe and quality housing must be our top priority as an organization. We have not fully met this goal in the past with substandard external inspection results and unacceptable property conditions,” said OHA Chief Executive Officer Joanie Poore.

The OHA says grounds maintenance and cleaning services were previously provided by OHA employees in the utility worker position, but that position was eliminated on Friday.

Their statement explains that members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 251 rejected an amendment proposal in November that would have allowed the OHA to restructure the position of utility worker. to meet their health, safety and operational needs. As a result, the OHA’s workforce was reduced by the 18 employees who filled those positions.

“OHA management has always preferred to retain employees to provide these services. However, without the ability to provide flexible schedules to meet unpredictable weather conditions, as is common in the Midwest, the only option that helps the OHA achieve our goal of providing safe, quality housing is to under – process these services. This option also supports the OHA’s responsibility to be good stewards of public funds entrusted to our organization. Outsourcing these services is expected to save the organization over $480,000 in operational costs in 2022,” Poore said.

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