Name                           Naomi Hattaway

Occupation                   Nonprofit Consultant

Education                     —

Political Affiliation        Democrat

Website                       https://naomiforcitycouncil.com

What are your connections to the community?

• Licensed Realtor

• Volunteer with RISE Builder’s Program, Board of Directors position with POC Collaborative and Board of Director role at RISE, Volunteer leadership team for Women’s Fund of Omaha Circles program

• Recent executive leadership positions:

— Habitat for Humanity of Omaha

— Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless - work on building eviction prevention and rental assistance program in 2020 (6,000 individuals served, my team led all client service work).  Continued work with them and other community partners into 2021 developing the Winter Plan response to COVID-19 and inclement weather for our community experiencing homelessness.

• Three children - one an adult, a HS Senior attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln homeschool program, and a HS Freshman at Elkhorn South.

• Former State Chapter Lead for Moms Demand Action / BeSMART

What experience do you bring to the office?

The past five years of my career have been devoted to affordable housing, workforce housing, and to secure and innovate housing opportunities for folks reentering our community - including New Americans, folks who have experienced our justice system, young adults aging out of foster homes, etc. This work has also prioritized the working families in our community who are frontline workers, meatpacking employees, etc.  This work would continue, and would be elevated with the leadership impact that would come with an elected seat.

What would one of your top priorities be?

First and foremost, we must prioritize equity in our budget. To me, that means ensuring that public spaces like our parks and libraries stop the downward trend of a reduction in their line item to make sure that we offer resources, community space, public wifi, etc. to all Omahans. Additionally, we must ensure our budget prioritizes the training and safety programs of ALL city employees.  Additionally, I would prioritize mental health initiatives, especially when it comes to city services that provide responders to residents (police, fire, homelessness services, etc.). We also must show that we value anti-bias and anti-racism training for city employees. Lastly (but not finally), we must have a high prioritization on language access across City Hall and all city services.

What motivated you to run for public office?

I am running for this seat, and in this time, because West Omaha needs a proactive leader who is willing to actually represent the individuals and families who make up the fabric of this city, and not defer to developers. When my district chooses equity, progress and demanding that all neighborhoods are safe and allow Omahans to thrive, we can begin to heal from decades of racial division and a lack of harmony due to redlining, inequitable policies, etc.

What’s the biggest issue that Omaha faces?

Economic recovery, equitable development and smart growth, and a needed priority on accessibility (language, physical spaces, opportunities, etc.). Additionally, Omaha would benefit from some restoration of trust, and an increase of transparency and communication from its elected officials in City Hall.

Is there anything else you want to tell voters?

My core values for this campaign are to be engaged, accessible and reliable. I value shame reduction in local government, and pride myself on being literally, the candidate that folks can call upon to help with education about policies and offer assistance with plain language. My vision is that we have an Omaha for everyone, and that vision is not out of reach. By ensuring equity is built into and intentionally written into the policies we write, and in the way we listen to our constituents and residents, we can reach that goal. I have been endorsed by national, state and local organizations, and am honored to have their support, and the opportunity to bring my leadership to Omaha.