Skip to main content

Tenant Committee

KMHC Building
Before I moved here during KMHC’s infancy the tenants at the time tried to organize a tenant committee unfortunately it failed due to poor leadership and clash among the tenants.
Monday evening I and other tenants were invited to an informal meeting at the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic main office.  The objective was to meet and talk with Aboriginal community workers and a lawyer regarding tenant issues and concerns about the landlord Urban Native Homes Inc.  The meeting started off with a smudge ceremony, all around introductions then sharing ideas and thoughts about UNH’s.  My objective was to sit back and listen to what everybody had to say.  Man!  Was I surprised what I heard from both parties, we covered a lot of areas and of course the nefarious UNH’s Director Christine Dawn Lenze (Daniels) and her UNH’s employed family were discussed.  I’m elated to announce I’m not the only tenant who has complaints toward UNH’s/KMHC employee Lynda Jones about her attitude, work ethics and practices. The meeting lasted a wee bit long over 2 hours, never the less it was a success and I absorbed a lot by listening to my fellow tenants and the aboriginal community workers and a lawyer who’s specialty is tenant issues.  
Not surprising the Native Housing blog came up in discussion so I offered an explanation on why I created it.  Here is one of many reasons: UNH’s management wouldn’t listen and include tenant elder complaints and other issues in the Tenant Meeting Minutes Report.  It was a sham.  Six years ago while surfing the net I came across a few posts from other bloggers and that’s when I had the idea “Hey! I can do that.”  I checked the legalities with a lawyer in Brantford and the Google webmaster then proceeded onward and I haven’t looked back.  Nativehousing.blogspot.ca is the only critique blog site in the cyber world tending to my Native tenant issues.  At first it was a hobby I’d poke fun at staff and a few silly tenants then later on the posts got serious.  Today the feedback via private e-mails and other social media websites is encouraging.  It’s good to know I’m not alone.

Now what do we call this committee!  I came up with the title “Hamilton Indigenous Tenant Association” Yes it is a long title so I abbreviated it to “HITA” cool huh!  The objective is to encourage and invite all aboriginal tenants in Hamilton, Ontario who have tenant issues and concerns about their landlord (including the private sector and non-profit organizations).  The association plan is to approach tenant issues in the Native traditional way by meeting each group (landlord & Tenant) in a friendly atmosphere to listen and share our concerns, offer advice plus work together toward a solution.  Picture a large group of natives sitting around a log fire with open arms offering tea, tobacco and native foods to another tribe. :)

All aboriginal tenants interested in attending the next meeting in the spring are welcome to e-mail me Tonyking.king4@gmail.com for time and location.

Tk

Comments

Angela Pugliese said…
This is good, what was the result what was the Lawyers.conclusion and just a reminder that Community Housing is involved with the complaints and there will be a decision made in about 4 months, contact 350 King St location
Anonymous said…
Interesting I wish I knew about this meeting, I am going under the name Anonymous for know, there is some update information, you can voice or send in a letter to 350 King St East Suite 110 unfortunately I can't remember her first name but her last name is Ryan, all complaints can be addressed to her, through writing a letter or contact her directly, this is Housing they are dealing with this issue, so I encourage everyone to use this avenue and voice before a decision is made

Popular posts from this blog

Poor Working Environment

My unit is located near the KMHC office, along with a friendly wave or hello I see the junior staff going about their business in a cheerful manner with the exception of one employee.   You would think KMHC has a pleasant working environment but that is not the case.   March 2016 is when Urban Native Homes head office was forced to move from their former spacious location to the cramp basement level of KMHC.   There were approx. 8-10 staff members at the time.   Then the Urban Native Homes financial scandal broke out and soon after the current UNH acting director’s illicit past became public knowledge, everyone was worried will they have a job.  Fearful meetings going on in the community room, the rumor mill was in full rotation while I just stood back and observed the panic.   Check your search engine it states this building location is Urban Native Homes head office yet that is not correct.  There is no real head office, the organization has s...

The End Is Here

Urban Native Homes Inc. will no longer exist.   Today and tomorrow Ciy of Hamilton/Ontario Aboriginal Housing Human Resources Dept. are interviewing UNH staff and other applicants in the community room.   Who will be rehired and who will be fired!   I just hope they choose wisely. Tonight I heard Christine Lenze, her mother Ingrid Nosel and the rest of their family and friends has left UNH. This evening before I left for the gym I ran into receptionist Melissa Wissner in the hallway.   She was waiting for her job interview and had a message for me from former UNH caseworker Crystal Mackenzie.  Crystal wishes me good luck and it was a pleasure working with me.  I was surprised by the message and I wish her the best too. :) My blog site has accomplished what I started out to do some years ago by publicly outing the mismanagement of Urban Native Homes Inc.  It's been a long arduous journey. I would like to thank anonymous and the others for thei...

The Ladies of KMHC

I & friend Teresa Last week I attended a program host by NWC Hamilton, it was there I met up with six female tenants of KMHC.   It was nice to see the ladies again I was greeted with hugs and smiles.   The program was Holistic teachings by Jane Burning she spoke about the Creator and positive thinking.   I enjoyed the presentation though it was a wee bit long.   During lunch break I had the chance to chat with the KMHC tenants to find out how’s life going at KMHC.   Things haven’t improved most tenants don’t like each other and there’s a lot of negative energy in the building.   I offered a sympathetic ear and didn’t judge as they shared their stories. The big problem with KMHC is tenant Aunt Opie and I’m glad she didn’t attend the NWC program.   You may recall I spoke of her in past blogs, aunt Opie’s negativity spreads throughout KMHC.   She brags about sending false complaint e-mails about tenants and staff to Justin the head direc...