The Initials - H.O.W.

For many who read my posts the initials H.O.W. are often written which stands for Housing Outreach Worker.  You may be wondering what kind of job title is that!  The duties include assisting tenants when there is a problem and to work on a solution together.  Basically HOW’s are suppose to be there for the tenant, at least that’s what I’ve been told by former HOW’s that worked here.  Former UNH’s staff Joseph Anton, Stephanie Hagar, Gerry Burning, Lorraine Brown, Charles Jacobs and Christine Demick were H.O.W.’s generally I’ve gotten along well with all of them and remain cordial right up to the end of their employment.   

Allow me to describe the current H.O.W. Lynda Jones, when she came on board she was quiet and didn’t interact socially with tenants in the building or outside.  She had a tough act to follow after Lorraine Brown left the organization.  Lorraine Brown a wonderful lady who actually cared for the tenants.  Gradually H.O.W. Lynda Jones made her presence known by having the wrong attitude toward tenants and one day in December 2014 I told her to shape up plus I only want to interact with her co-worker H.O.W. Christine Demick.  Lynda realizing she has no control over me demanded “I speak to her only”.  I replied that was unacceptable and never spoken to her since.  Why UNH’s keeps Lynda employed here is a mystery, I’ve been told by more than a few Native elders about the way she talks to them, at times totally disrespectful.  Her tactics are unethical I want to write more about it but not yet, perhaps in my next blog post.

Over the past year H.O.W. Lynda Jones has called the police on me twice over irrelevant issues.  The first time was last summer after I dropped off a work order request to the office, after explaining my version of events to the police officers they were baffled why the complaint was called in.  

Last month the police were called to the KMHC building on another tenant issue that had nothing to do with me.  Soon after I received a knock on my door it was PC Andrea McLaughlin I reminded her we met a few years ago and had a private conversation about my landlord after her presentation at Wesley Centre.
I invited PC Andrea McLaughlin to enter my unit, she explained she came to my door on H.O.W. Lynda Jones request and wasn’t an official police call-in complaint.  The officer asked me why a few weeks prior I was standing near Lynda’s truck which was parked between the tenant courtyard and the trash bin.  I replied to the officer I live here, I pay rent, I don’t have to explain my actions unless you’re doing a criminal investigation. Plus I don’t appreciate being disturbed when H.O.W. Lynda Jones sends the police to my unit over something menial.  After our conversation the officer understood my frustration and will pass my message to H.O.W. Lynda Jones and Urban Native Homes staff.  In the future should there be an issue with my tenancy UNH’s are to send an inquiry letter with a signature directly to me instead of calling the police.

Here’s the good news I want to share with my readers.  Today around noon I notice PC Andrea McLaughlin was at the KMHC office talking to the receptionist.  This was an opportunity to get an update so I asked may I speak to her in private.  Today I received verbal confirmation from the officer that UNH’s received my message and will comply.   H.O.W. Lynda Jones plan backfired and I couldn’t be any more elated.  :)

Thank you PC Andrea McLaughlin of the Hamilton Police Services.