Hamilton Indigenous Housing

 Next month July 24, 2012 is the official Hamilton Native Housing blog site anniversary.  As we approach it's two year existence and pass 10,000 pageviews I would like to take this time to thank those who dropped by and read my posts.  My first post titled “Koo Gaa Da Win Manitou Housing” was a major rant I typed up after seeing some shit going on around here and I was elated many people in town and around the world read it.  Last year I had a private conversation outside the building with a KMHC outreach worker and I asked their opinion about this blog site, I was complimented on my writing skills and suggested I focus on bigger issues outside of this building.  Metaphorically speaking KMHC is a little fish in a big pond and Urban Native Homes Inc. don’t like their dirty laundry hung out in public and the board members are pulling each others hair out in frustration.  After our conversation I thought about it for awhile but as you can tell I didn't take...

This afternoon we received the written report from the last tenant meeting, after reading it I notice there are discrepancies and a few facts omitted from the report, I should know I was there. Attending the meeting I was impressed with the two tenants who came up with excellent suggestions and voiced their complaints and concerns and I could see the staff squirming under the pressure. The tenant who came up with the “Passing Stones” idea for tenants who died met with opposition, the acting HSC said this might infringe on confidentiality. I thought "What are you talking about WOMAN!  Whenever there's a social function there you are taking pictures of tenants without their permission and use the photos for exploitation and propaganda and you have the nerve to say that!"  If there is to be any disapproval from the families of the deceased, they would point and say “It’s a nice gesture from the tenants but due to UNH's reputation we don’t want any affiliation.” :P ...

Today I did my usual good deed and contribution to the building, I washed the windows for the tenants on my floor and they were appreciative…N5 that Ingrid :P  Also this morning as I was preparing my bucket & squeegee I saw two staff members in the hall wearing white contamination coveralls complete with boot covers...so you know what that means eh! and it wasn't a fashion statement.  For now I won't be acknowledging UNH's outreach worker Charles Jacobs, even though he apologized for failing to work on my lease renewal last year I believe he ignored it on purpose per Janis or Ingrid's instructions.  I find his role as an tenant advocate extremely limited, during a unit inspection all he did was stand near my sink when the Super needed help and what's worse recently he gave me the brush off twice over important tenant issues I wanted to address.  I’ve come to the conclusion he’s the “Acting HSC’s ass kisser.”  Make sure you bring lots of chapstick to w...

Today we celebrated Spencer’s one year of sobriety by having a pot luck luncheon the guest of honor arrived fashionably late and made a grand entrance. :)  Spencer’s sister Sandra graciously said a few words then the man of the hour made a speech. He thanked the tenants and staff for showing up and said it’s been a tough struggle fighting his addiction.  The best part for me is when he made a jab at the acting HSC for filing an N7 eviction notice, even after he apologized for his behavior over an isolated incident she would not relent, for the readers who don’t know Spencer has a physical disability.  When he arrived here he was in rough shape and needed intervention I’m not a counselor but I have experience in life we talked many times and I consider him a friend.  When he received the N7 eviction notice he was really stressed out and scared shitless. He said "Tony, I’m thinking when I get my cheque I’m going to fuck off out of here!” I suggested don’t run, fight th...