Hamilton Indigenous Housing

Friendships don’t always last especially when one physically attacks the other. Tenant Dean K. and I were friends almost from the time he moved in the building. We’ve had many personal conversations and hung out as buddies, I've gotten to know the guy I’m aware he has a mental disability.   On Friday afternoon something happened that was totally out of character.  He came up to me while I was talking to a female tenant and in a fit of rage he elbowed me on the chest. My first reaction was to punch him back then I realized he’s a victim of a car accident, suffers brain damage and for medical reasons has a metal plate to protect his head. I was angry and demanded an explanation he responded by shouting obscenities. There was no reasoning with the guy.   After thinking about it I decided to call the police.   Most of the altercation was caught on camera. From experience I found out sending a complaint letter to the KMHC office about another tenant doesn’t guarantee ...

After the big storm we had over the weekend I decided to do my usual volunteer community work by washing the windows for the tenants on my floor including my own pad.   KMHC don’t wash windows.   On to the tenant meeting: it was uneventful as usual with one exception we were introduced to the new Superintendent and his wife, they seem like a nice couple. Poor Francois I suspect he's not use to public speaking "he was breaking out in a sweat" :) On the agenda was the problem the building has with tenants and pets. The HSC made it clear repeated complaints to pet owners will be handed a N5 notice and face eviction. What crossed my mind when I heard this was total disappointment.   What the HSC should have done during the screening/interview process of new applicants is lay down the rules involving pets and their owners before signing the lease. Perhaps then she wouldn’t have to utter threats of eviction to the elder tenants.  There was a pissing contest going o...

It’s been quiet around here since my last post.   We have the usual tenant crowd sitting outside enjoying the summer evening air and others going about their lives. Sort of peaceful and I like it.   On Father’s Day the KMHC office were up to their old tricks by giving selected tenants cake while others where not included. And via phone calls only select tenants are told of upcoming events. It seems Deb the driver has cause riffs with a few tenants with her attitude. Let’s hope the situation is ironed out soon.   We have a new Superintendent so I introduced myself to Francois Tremblay. Gosh!  You couldn’t get a better French name for a native guy. :)   It was nice to see young Luke our former building cleaner I think he was training the new Superintendent on what mundane chores has to be done around here. I noticed since former Superintendent Jan Porter left, the building upkeep has been slacking ie: trees and grass not properly trimmed and there's still we...