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.
Enjoy the last days of summer. According to Environment Canada it's going to be a hot one. :)
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 spread out to three locations and to keep in communication most staff will
be driving around town with their cell phone stuck in their ear.
UNH staff has
diminished quite dramatically, hours have been cut, some have abruptly quit their job while others
have been fired. UNH’s decided to go with
hiring contractors to do major maintenance work and the result shows. Last weekend there was no hot water available in the building.
As of last week the KMHC office has no reception desk clerk and
the office door is to remain closed indefinitely. Get This!
A notice of the change was posted
on the door for a day, then removed then re posted again a few days later. This morning a letter was delivered under my door the mailboxes will be changed today, then at lunch time I was told by staff it's not going to happen until Monday. Confused yet! :P
Program post on
the bulletin board invited tenants to the African Lion Safari then at the last
minute UNH cancelled. I'm told the reason is "they have
no money” how embarrassing and disappointing
for the Native tenant elders. I mean why
post an invitation when the host is broke.
Today’s blog post is aimed at the housing outreach worker in
the UNH organization. Hamilton Police Services are getting annoyed with her. I will go into more detail
after I check my legal options on how to proceed in dealing with this woman.
Enjoy the last days of summer. According to Environment Canada it's going to be a hot one. :)
Tk
Comments
The current UNH management is shady at best not only with tenants but with their own staff. I'm told by a former employee that Christine has her group of "minions" that cover her butt. I understand the female administration team needs the salary but seriously have some self respect and show integrity.
I've listened to the stories from many tenants over the years and yes there is the fear factor of being evicted. After a while some give up and move out or some stay with close mouths because they have no place to go. It's sad really.
Should a tenant have a landlord issue I invite them to comment because there is no tenant lease violation. They can't be evicted.
Another alternative is to organize a tenant committee, strength in numbers, with the right leadership it can be successful.
However, Dockstator said HEDAC could consider letting them back in after successful restructuring. They better be concerned about whats going on right now. Is the City not aware of what's going on
After Janis was fired from UNH and months later we did run into each other at a conference meeting at the Hamilton Indian Centre. I was so sure she would ignore me but that didn’t happen she came up to greet me with a smile. After that night I came to the conclusion since she’s no longer UNH director let bygones be bygones. We can at least be respectful to each other should our paths cross again. Interestingly I saw Janis Lewis-Deeley again earlier this year at Judy Ashkewe’s funeral. Michelle you say Janis cared about the tenants YES I have to agree. Looks like she’s doing ok these days, I read on Native Womens Centre website she’s their Vice President.
UNH Acting Director Christine Lenze does not make public appearances. Before her scandal broke out, the last time I saw her she made a disastrous speech at the Gage Park Pow Wow a few years ago. I’m told the reason she won’t meet with tenants, she’s afraid of being attacked about her past. I say Christine should you be reading this Get up off your butt and confront the situation. Stop hiding behind your minions and show actual leadership. Have a general meeting with all tenants to clear the air, if not then resign.
I don’t use the UNH transportation services but here is some information I recently obtained from a reliable source regarding the older blue UNH van. It is funded by March of Dimes with the condition that it remains at KMHC and not to be driven for personal use. It is to be used to transport seniors and disabled people to appointments, groceries and outings. UNH pays for the gas, sticker, and insurance.
It’s been observed the UNH van has been spotted being driven around Six Nations on evening and weekends. KMHC tenants are encouraged by UNH staff to ask other Hamilton aboriginal organizations for transportation to their appointments. It’s a workload the other organizations do not appreciate because they have their own clients to transport and can’t handle more.