Hamilton Indigenous Housing

Disappointed Look It’s that time of the year again rent review.   I received my package in the mail the first Friday of August and took a few hours to get photocopies, obtain print outs and fill in the necessary documents.   No big deal right!   Then after examining the UNH’s documents I notice a few omissions plus I have tenant related questions to ask.   The following Tuesday I asked the KMHC receptionist could I speak to Crystal a member of the UNH’s administration regarding the annual rent review. Three days later the receptionist said I will have to send a fax to the administration office on the reason I need to speak to Crystal.   I’m getting suspicious and annoyed with the office run around.   Never the less on Saturday I sent a fax to UNH’s administration dept.   I waited another week and I never received a response back, I was completely ignored and I'm not happy.   Approaching the rent review deadline my next step is to contact H...

We are in the mid-summer season at KMHC and a lot has happened since my last blog post.   Let’s begin with some good news.   In my last post I mentioned we had a daylight burglary in the building and the odds of catching the offender are slim……unless he's stupid and makes a mistake.   One day the tenant who was robbed decided to have a few beers with his girlfriend at a local pub.   Call it Karma or just coincidence but the robber also entered the pub on the same day.  The tenant recognized the man from the captured building security photo he downloaded on his smartphone.   The tenant is a big man and he immediately sprung into action, he handled his situation Indian style.   He approached the man and confronted him on his crime then beat the shit out of him.   No cops, no witnesses and no scalps were removed yet I’m sure the man will never come near KMHC building again.   Way to go fellow tenant. :) I’ve been asked many ti...

FOB A few years ago UNH’s installed electronic door locks on all levels of the KMHC building.   There was grumbling from tenants about the inconvenience but soon learn to adapt.   Before entry the tenant must have a FOB device to unlock and open the front door. *Similar to the image above*   Yeah it’s a pain in the arse when a tenant is carrying groceries and other items.   The one thing I like about the FOB lock system is when the building fire alarm is triggered all FOB locked doors electronically swing open.   Soon after the FOB lock systems were installed I notice something peculiar.   During office hours the basement door was jarred open by the UNH’s staff and I figured out why.   UNH staff was too lazy to get up off their seat and physically open the door for their visitors.   There is a security camera monitor at the reception desk and a buzzer that opens the main door but Jeezus Come on ladies!   Tenant elders are inst...

Hello readers this is my review of the local Aboriginal events that went on in our community.   Similar to last year the weather Saturday was hot and humid at Gage Park mini Pow Wow or as some Natives call it “the fake Pow Wow” so I didn’t stick around long. :P   Unfortunately the event has deteriorated, less dancer participation and I notice public attendance was low.   Could be due to lack of advertising, the weather or people are tired of seeing the same thing every year.   Aside from that I did run into a few friends and acquaintances that make the trip worthwhile.   Speaking of trips the UNH’s driver Tim abruptly quit the job on Friday, I never had the opportunity to know the guy and by choice I never use the transportation services.   The UNH Administration had to step up to the plate again.   Next day unknown to tenant elders who rode the van to the Pow Wow the trip was one way, they were expected to find their own way home or wait for bus...

Before Before Wednesday morning as I walked to the KMHC courtyard I notice an event/ceremony going on outside the Hamilton Police Services central station which is located next to our building.  Many police officers and local dignitaries were in attendance and everybody was dressed in their finest.  Watching the event from the courtyard I look to my left and what do I see!    Old furniture stacked up, two mattresses with brown stains and other debris leaning against the trash bin that’s been sitting there for a while. The lawn needs mowing and bushes need trimming. The public can see this mess, h ow embarrassing!  Can you imagine what the Chief of Hamilton Police Services was thinking!   I do, because the next day I notice a female bi-law officer doing a perimeter inspection of the KMHC building and later in her vehicle writing up a report.   I assume she wrote an infraction or warning to Urban Native Homes Inc. to clean up their proper...

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...

As I had written in my last blog post tenant Judy Ashkewe had passed away and I was waiting for an announcement when and where the funeral will be held.   Finally I got word on Friday morning from tenant Joanie the service will be held at a local funeral home and we had a few hours to get ready.   Wow!   Talk about a close call.   Anyway I showered, shaved, slapped on some cologne and retrieved my black suit from the closet.   I want to look and be respectable as I say goodbye to a friend. After the funeral I heard the ladies planning a traditional native luncheon on Monday in memory of Judy Ashkewe at the KMHC community room.   Will UNH’s put up a fuss!   I sure as hell hope not or there will be an uprising.   The idea is to invite all tenants to the luncheon without saying it’s a potluck affair.   As most people of the world know when you go to a post funeral gathering you bring food. Fast forward to Monday morning. ...