It's been exactly 3 years since I moved out of the KMHC building and no regrets. I don't miss the constant noise of police sirens, ambulances and fire trucks going by and it's been awhile I've seen any police cruisers. You see KMHC is sandwiched between HPS central station and their special investigations new building.
I still keep in touch with the tenants at KMHC, Keenadah and other homes via social media, phone and when I'm downtown. Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services management cannot stop me from interacting with tenant friends. A few months ago I was talking to a friend at the KMHC entrance when Luke Johns the OAHS property manager walks by with some old bald guy and didn't say word to me. Good on Luke I liked him since the days when he was the KMHC cleaner mopping floors. However these days I hear a lot of criticism on his lack of leadership and complacency.
Lately I notice the neighbourhood around KMHC has changed drastically. The homeless and drug addicts are visible, streets are littered with drug paraphernalia. Last month late at night a tenant witness the police and paramedics remove a dead body from the outside southern corner of the KMHC building. Was it a drug overdose! Probably, we're never know because it's not newsworthy.
KMHC does serve a temporary purpose for Natives going through homelessness and should be used as a stepping stone to more permanent housing. I've spoke to many former Native tenants who moved on and never looked back at KMHC.
Years ago one clause I made to OAHS during our negotiations and it was agreed, I'm to get a good tenant reference from them. My strategy worked I live on the west mountain in a upscale neighborhood and doing well.
A shout out to OAHS tenant and friend Miss Carla for hemming my bedroom curtains for a nominal fee. Well done my dear! :)
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| Two grand dames at KMHC. :) |
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