Hamilton Indigenous Housing

After many years I received a call for Toronto Native Housing offering a vacancy so I decided to explore my options by attending a viewing of what's available. But first I did a phone interview with acting project manager Paul Feitelberg. He said my personal and financial information checks out fine then we talked about the negative reference I got from Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. I was asked for my side of the story and I also invited Paul to read this blog site to find out more who I am.  A few days later I called Paul for an update, I was complimented on my blog posts and he could see the love and compassion I have for the Native people on this blog site.  Due to the Hamilton cyber attack it was difficult for Paul get a reference from my current housing provider so with my assistance I helped him get in contact with their office. I received an excellent tenant reference from my housing provider. When I asked about OAHS he said he's going to ignore their negative re...

 A few days ago I received word that KMHC tenant and friend Kevin White had passed away, I was shocked and sadden upon hearing the news. Kevin moved in the KMHC building after I did and we got along great. He was the nicest guy in the building, never got involved with the gossip mongers and basically kept to himself, he had his own circle of friends and family outside of KMHC.  After I moved out of the KMHC building I'd sometimes run into Kevin and his girlfriend Sharon downtown. I notice he was having mobility issues yet in his best fake Italian accent he'd shout 'Ayeee Tonee!' and I gave Kevin the nickname 'Special K' like the cereal. :D  I'd stop we'd chat for a bit, he once warned me about tenant Aunt Opie aka Joan Frame spreading rumors about me to staff and to other tenants who'd listen. I'd laugh thinking somethings never change at KMHC. :P I heard a memorial service was held in Hagersville, Ontario unfortunately I wasn't be able to...

I don't particularly like posting Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services screw ups but there is no other alternative.  Early Saturday morning a kitchen fire broke out in a native elder's unit at KMHC. The Hamilton fire dept was dispatched and soon the kitchen fire was under control. The tenant was sent to the hospital for treatment and observation and it looks like he'll be fine Here's the kicker folks! The main fire alarm has to be reset from the main control panel and no OAHS employee were available to do so. The building has a unique fire alarm system I lived there for years and I know what I'm saying. When the alarm goes off fire sirens can be heard in the hallways and in each unit. A tenant cannot turn the siren sound off in their unit. They can mute it for 5 min then it comes back on. And trust me the siren volume is worthy of a major headache. Tenants had to endure the fire alarm siren for nearly 5 hours. Imagine that!  These are native elders and nobody gives a...

 Last week I received an invitation to attend a pot luck luncheon at KMHC which I gladly accepted. It's been almost four years since I moved out of the building, First thing I noticed the hallways are not as bright as before, the paint color is too dark.  Anyway it was nice to sit down and chat with the native elders of KMHC. The hostess made everybody feel comfortable and welcome and the food! Oh My Gosh!  That's what I missed about KMHC. :) Conversation was light and cheerful, no mud slinging or gossip today. I had fun and when it was time to say goodbye the hostess invited me to take some food home. A doggie bag if you will.  What a great way to end the holidays and start the New Year 2023.  :)  

Recently a gym member and I were talking about Native issues in Canada when to my surprise Urban Native Homes Inc. came up in conversation. The gym member is also a member of the United Way senior management staff.   The United Way was a financial supporter for Urban Native Homes Inc.for many moons. The KMHC building opened up as the first Aboriginal housing facility for seniors in Canada. I remember walking by the building on opening day and noticed local dignitaries and news media covering the story plus the United Way was there too.  So here's the scoop readers, some years later things started looking fishy with Urban Native Homes Inc. when staff started writing up false and misleading financial statements to the United Way foundation. This activity was also going on at the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre when they were located on Main Street E.  The Director of Hamilton Regional Indian Centre at the time said to the United Way representative "It's not your money ...

Continuing from my previous blog today I was given friend Peter Isaac's obituary posted in the Two Row Times, an aboriginal newspaper.  A thank you to one of my followers. Other news! From a reliable source I was informed Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services are not paying their contractors. For Shame!  As I recall, years ago it was reported in a local newspaper and I wrote a blog about it Urban Native Homes Inc was sued by contractors for non payment of services rendered. Could the same happen to OAHS.....Hmm!  Anything is possible. Last week KMHC tenant Aunt Opie was spotted exiting a Direct Cash outlet in downtown Hamilton. I highly suspect she has fallen down the rabbit hole of outrageous interest rates from payday loans. Oh well there goes her Govt cheque and why am I not surprised.:P  A reminder June is Aboriginal month please support the native community by attending any Pow Wow events in your area.   Tk