Hamilton Indigenous Housing

It’s around 9am Christmas morning I turned on the coffee pot, made a few phone calls and decided to turn on my Christmas window lights and tree display in celebration of the day.   I’ll be hitting the gym early this morning @ 11 am for a good workout because I have two turkey functions to attend later in the day.   One at the local community centre and another with a Scottish clan I’ve known for many years who reside on the mountain. Thanks to my fellow tenants for the wonderful Christmas cards.   Urban Native Homes Inc. decided to ignore me this Christmas time with no gift card or presents while other tenants received something.   UNH’s management claims they’re a unique organization which is far from the truth.   This year there was no Christmas tree in the KMHC community room and no Christmas light display in the front entrance of the building.   Christmas Past used to be filled with conversation and laughter while enjoying a turkey dinner in the ...

In a previous blog I mention the problem KMHC has with bedbug infestations those little buggers are difficult to get rid of.   In Sept after following the instructions for preparation and going through two treatments I was frustrated to find the bedbugs are still here.   The treatments failed to exterminate, soon after I sent a fax addressed to the new director of Urban Natives homes Inc. with an update.   The treatments failed because the exterminator did a mediocre job and I described it to the UNH’s director.   10 days went by and I haven’t heard a reply from head office I was beginning to think perhaps they don’t give a shit, eventually when I was about to send an e-mail to Hamilton Public Health with a complaint I received a notice UNH’s will begin another bedbug treatment.   I’m glad to say they hired another exterminator and this time the man did an exceptional job.   I have a story to share; my dear neighbor Deloris will sometimes knock on my doo...

The bedbug problem in the KMHC building has made more than a few tenants decide to move out.   Elenore was one and now we have Shirley.   Last week when I saw her load up some of her belongings into her daughter’s van I asked what happened.   She explained she’s had enough with bedbugs and being blamed for the KMHC infestations.   Now bloggers just picture a petite elderly widowed woman made to feel unwelcome by UNH's staff and a few tenants.   From what Shirley said the KMHC office sent her a letter stating they are coming in her unit to take pictures.   This upset Shirley and refused to allow them entry she then spoke to a social worker for assistance.   The social worker advised Shirley to go to the police there is a special unit that will help seniors in crisis.   There are times when UNH’s will over step the boundaries especially to those who don’t know their tenant rights, I know because I experienced it.    Anyway near t...

Blue Box About 4 years ago the City of Hamilton inspectors shut down the KMHC recycling room after being considered a fire hazard.   Since then the HSC Ingrid has been scratching her head and arse trying to figure out what to do with the blue boxes.   One idea was to place them across the hall from the office this went on for a while until they notice it doesn’t look good.   Then the staff decided to move the boxes across from I and my neighbor’s door.   That’s when I complained at a tenant meeting about the boxes being an eyesore in the hallway then HOW Lynda Jones came up with a lame excuse regarding city regulations which I didn’t believe.   Last year after filing a complaint to UNH’s head office combined with my neighbour’s verbal complaint the maintenance dept. listened and came up with an excellent solution.   The recycling boxes have been moved to an isolated area of the basement ironically right across from the old recycling room.   Yest...

Christine Demik came to KMHC less than two years ago she was Charles Jacobs replacement.   At first I thought she was a nice young lady, friendly and seems helpful.   Then the UNH’s curse took possession and soon her personality changed she became unfriendly, stoic and complacent.   Christine and Lynda are two UNH’s outreach workers who I assume were equal.   They had their duties then last year I noticed what was really going on, Lynda Jones is on a power trip and determined to take over KMHC.   Lynda actually said to me at our last meeting “From now on you will only talk to me, not Christine!”   I thought “up yours woman! I don’t take orders from someone I despise”.   From that point on I haven’t spoken to Lynda Jones or Christine.   Good Luck to Christine Demik I've never had anything against the young lady and she made a wise decision to take a job offer on the mountain.  IMO she would be wasting her time being employed at UNH's...

Whenever we tenants get together and talk about life and longevity we jokingly say the retirement place across the street is “the last stop before we cash in our chips" meaning death.   Unfortunately there are times when a tenant doesn’t make it to the retirement home and passes away early.   Since I’ve been at KMHC five Native elders have passed away which encourages me to savor life to the fullest because one never knows when their time is up. On Twitter I follow the HFD.  NEW | F15032611 | MEDICAL | Loc: 0 Block MARY ST HAM @ KING WILLIAM ST/REBECCA ST /CN: URBAN NATIVE HOUSING | Units: 1 | 10/5/15 11:51 Yesterday the HFD sent out a tweet at 11.51 am.  The HFD were dispatched to a medical emergency at the KMHC building.   After I read the tweet I heard the fire truck sirens and police show up at the entrance of the building.   Soon after tenants and staff were running about in the hallway I then knew something serious was up.   Sadly ye...

No this is not a title for a new video game.   Last month I found a few bedbugs in my unit I immediately sent a fax to the UNH’s Director to report the findings and to suggest they come up with an efficient tactical plan to control the bedbug situation at the KMHC building by hiring licensed professionals.   The following week Good Shepherd Works pest inspectors came to inspect my unit it was diagnosed I have a light infestation and the team laid out a plan.   I listened, asked questions and followed their written instructions.   This morning a second treatment was completed, I feel like something has been accomplished and I'm hoping the bugs are gone.  Praise goes to Good Shepherd Works pest control team for their efforts and leaving a completed work report for the tenant.   Kudos to the UNH’s Director, in a way this was a test to see how quick she would respond to my fax, so far she’s better then former UNH’s Director Janis Lewis-Deeley. I’ve spen...

This afternoon a brown envelope was shoved under my door typed with my name and a return address label “Urban Natives Homes Inc”. includes their address located at the other side of town.   The content were instructions and a 24 hour notice of entry for Monday.    For two weeks I’ve known about the assigned apt entry and I’m ready, eager and prepared for it.  I don’t need nagging repetitive reminders nor do I have a bad memory.   I keep a file on all landlord letters and documents that I receive/sent and don’t toss anything out. Here’s what annoys me, the envelope was not sent from UNH’s head office it was typed up by one of the HOW’s at the KMHC office located in the building.   I find it hard to believe a staff member at head office would take the time to write me a 24 hour notice of entry.   Two reasons: the envelope was hand delivered and had no postage stamp.   After I opened the envelope I quickly scanned it then resealed it.  ...

Officer in the background instructing people to move on Diffusing the situation Not much happens outside the KMHC building with the exception of fire and ambulance responding to an emergency at the retirement residence across the street and next door is the Hamilton Police Services Central Station.   If you don’t have a problem with the presence of police going about their daily business then it’s not so bad residential area. All that changed yesterday around 12.45 pm I and another fellow tenant were sitting in the courtyard chatting away when a female officer approached us.   For public safety she kindly asked us to move due to a bomb scare in the neighbourhood we gladly obliged and proceeded to our building.   Minutes later I hear fire truck sirens, from my apt windows I notice the presence of mounted police and fire fighters at the other street corner and the area being taped off.   Soon after I decided to go to the store and to see what’s going on. ...

Native people who reach a certain age are considered Elders in aboriginal society and deserve the utmost respect.   *Listen up UNH’s* :P     Along with age their spirit and wisdom gets better but unfortunately their body is falling apart.   I’ve had discussions with fellow tenants about aging and getting old they hate it, absolutely hate it but there is nothing anybody can do about it, is there!   Recently I was watching an interview on YouTube featuring the late great actress Katherine Hepburn on her views about aging.   She exclaimed getting old is an unnatural process and old people should not be sent off to the gas chamber aka the old folks home, it would be better to shoot them on the spot.  She was a hoot.   LOL    Of course I don’t agree with her view, I believe when one is old and experiencing severe chronic pain and discomfort then they should have the choice to end it but assisted suicide is illegal in Canada.   I remember...

Witness Blanket Display Yesterday the Wesley Multicultural Group had a presentation on the horrific events that happened at the Native Residential Schools in Canada years ago.   We were invited to attend the presentation at the Hamilton Central Public Library I was impressed with their upscale boardroom on the fifth floor.  I and 30 group members were also glad to see former UNH’s and current HPL staff member Lorraine Brown as our presenter.   Lorraine greeted us with open arms and warned us certain topics we are about to hear will be upsetting.   The two hour presentation/lecture started with a slide show of images of native children in the residential schools, Lorraine continued by explaining how the Canadian government at the time forcibly removed the children from their families and why it was done.   Lorraine did an excellent unbiased lecture on the subject as I watched the reaction and questions from the other members.  After a coffee break we al...