Hamilton Indigenous Housing

Introduction page Two weeks ago I decided to sign up and attend a workshop hosted by the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic. We were handed a 10 page information leaflet on tenant’s rights and what to expect if one has to attend a hearing at the Landlord & Tenant Tribunal on King Street. The lawyer Sharon Crowe gave an informative presentation then later listened and answered our general questions.   A few participants at the workshop were frustrated about their living situation with Hamilton City Housing, ie: non repairs, appliances not working and the big issue bedbug/cockroach pest infestation.  They asked the lawyer what can be done to correct the problems. From what I gather there is a lot of paperwork involved the tenant has to file applications and complaints to certain city departments then they send out city inspectors to assess the situation. If that doesn’t work the lawyer suggested tenants go to the Legal clinic and request a private consultation/meeting w...

Today at noon I received a knock on my door it was two Hamilton police officers, I invited them in and asked what’s the problem!   They were here to remind me not to speak to the KMHC office staff and an issue in regard to Christine Demik’s parked car in front of my window.   Jeezus! The last time I spoke to the staff was at a meeting on December 22, 2014.   Last week I wrote a note asking Christine if she would park her vehicle further down the laneway so not to block the view from our windows. Since I’m not to speak to her I stuck the note on her windshield.   Apparently she and UNH’s made a big issue out of it and complained to the police. The officer said there is nothing threatening or offensive in the note and advised me to file a complaint with the City of Hamilton bi-law office in the future.   Ironically this morning before the cops arrived I woke up to loud noise of city workers cleaning the grounds near Christine’s car I went out to ask the worker...

Words of Wisdom The image/words you see above is for the former UNH’s staff that were thrown under the bus and for the ones still working under management rule. In these tough economic times there are not many full time jobs available I understand staff have to make a living but don’t allow the employer to interfere or restrict social communication with others. (tenants).  It's a human rights violation.   Here’s a scoop I want share: I never wrote about this as requested from a former UNH’s head office employee.   About 3 years ago the lovely UNH’s Director tried to muzzle the former employee by threatening legal action if any information was leaked out.  The thing is the person never gave any inside information in regard to UNH’s business practice and I never asked.  I only receive confirmation on the Director’s bitchy character and I was praised for being clever and insightful on what goes on at KMHC. At the last KMHC Christmas dinner I watched the nati...

Yesterday around 10 am the main KMHC fire alarm siren went off I looked out the hallway I didn’t see or smell smoke or hear any chaos and the office door was closed. I thought ok they are checking the system again without informing the tenants.   If there was a fire the HSC Ingrid would be running up and down the hallway waving her flabby arms yelling everybody to get out. The siren when on for approx. 5 minutes I then temporarily muted the alarm sound in my unit because it was driving me nuts. There is no communication between I and the KMHC office staff so how am I suppose to know what’s going on in the building.   Is this for real or are they fucking around with the fire alarm system. I then decided to get dressed and head to the Laundromat as I left I noticed HOW Christine chatting with men in the electrical room.   Oooh! I wonder what’s going on there!   Leaving the building I saw a few tenants standing around outside so I waved a hello and off I went. ...

Years ago the KMHC building use to be a printing/engraving machine shop co.  I remember walking by the windows would be open (no A/C back then) and hear the loud machinery operating.  Quitting time was 4 pm employees exited from the basement level and the offices were located on the first floor level. The second floor level remains a mystery.  The south end section was constructed when UNH’s obtained the building.   Observing the building from the outside one can tell it’s at least 100 years old and I’m sure it has some hidden secrets. When UNH’s first opened KMHC it was slow going they had difficulty getting applicants, original tenant Bob told me when Ingrid Nosel was the outreach worker she’d stand outside downtown drop in centres and offer Natives a carton of cheap cigarettes from the Rez then lure them to fill out an application.  I suppose promoting lung cancer was a good way to get tenants. :P Remembering tenant Germaine, she and I would talk on the phon...