Skip to main content

Residential living After KMHC

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! :) 

 

Two grand dames at KMHC. :)




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Wigwamin Terrace

After many years I received a call for Toronto Native Housing offering a vacancy so I decided to explore my options by attending a viewing of what's available. But first I did a phone interview with acting project manager Paul Feitelberg. He said my personal and financial information checks out fine then we talked about the negative reference I got from Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. I was asked for my side of the story and I also invited Paul to read this blog site to find out more who I am.  A few days later I called Paul for an update, I was complimented on my blog posts and he could see the love and compassion I have for the Native people on this blog site.  Due to the Hamilton cyber attack it was difficult for Paul get a reference from my current housing provider so with my assistance I helped him get in contact with their office. I received an excellent tenant reference from my housing provider. When I asked about OAHS he said he's going to ignore their negative re...

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...

Koo Gaa Da Win Manitou

I hope one day we can truly say there is a haven where older natives who experienced homelessness can find a place to call home and have the resources available for the best quality of life in their golden years. Koo Ga Da Win Manitou Housing Complex has a long journey in order to reach that goal. Perhaps more funding is needed or better trained/experienced outreach workers who can relate to tenants concerns and health issues. Programs that would interest all tenants as a whole would be nice. Most important we tenants must try to get along with their neighbours. (as the good book says "Love thy neighbour") I've been here less then a year and I've observed alot, we have a diversity of tenants living in the building from different reservations and walks of life. Some have problems with alcohol, prescription drug addictions, physical disabilities and slight mental disabilities. The one thing we all have in common is our health concerns, from chronic back pain to deadly...