Urban Native Homes poised to transfers duties

Hamilton buildings were not operating well, some complained; tenants hopeful of change

The troubled provider of subsidized housing for Indigenous residents in Hamilton is poised to hand over the reins to another operator.

A recent city report notes the board of Urban Native Homes “voted unanimously” in support of negotiating the transfer of operations to Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services.

That agency is the largest provider of subsided housing for Indigenous residents in the province.

“I am ecstatic about it,” said Tony King, who lives in an Urban Native Homes-run residence for elders on Mary Street.

King described an atmosphere of tension and mistrust between staff, management and residents in his building.

Fellow tenant Angela Pugliese said the building has taken a turn for the worse.

“We went from a very efficiently run complex to confused and stressed.”

In April 2016, city staff suggested the potential takeover of Urban Native Homes, citing concerns about finances, conflict of interest and problematic mortgages.

It has also been mired in lawsuits, some waged by former contractors who worked on a $4-million renovation of a men’s residence on Kenilworth Avenue North.

Urban Native Homes, which has more than 210 subsidized units in its portfolio, receives $2.4 million a year in federal and municipal subsidies.

Its board of directors and acting executive director didn’t respond to requests for comment.

In November, the board voted in favour of a motion to negotiate the transfer of its units to Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services, a city staff update to councillors noted.

If the board approves a transfer agreement, the “target date” for the changeover would be April 1, 2018, the city report noted.

As service manager, the city must sign off on the transfer.

Coun. Sam Merulla, whose Ward 4 includes the Kenilworth Avenue North building, said the city has been focused on a transfer to a “consistent, predictable and competent” service provider.

“We’ve come a long, long way. There were some real serious concerns.”

Coun. Jason Farr, whose Ward 2 includes the Mary Street residence, noted city staff have worked closely with Urban Native Homes.

The staff report also suggests residents are satisfied with the change, he added.

“If this is the case, then I see this as the best move toward a more sustainable management going forward.”

Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services owns more than 2,000 subsidized units with corporate offices in Sault Ste. Marie, Hanmer near Sudbury, Dryden, Peterborough and London.

Acting executive director Justin Marchand says the agency’s priority is providing tenants with safe and affordable housing.

“We are also looking forward to increasing the amount of culturally-appropriate housing options and becoming a proactive partner in the city’s overall housing system.”

Marchand said there’s a “huge unmet housing need” for Indigenous residents in Hamilton.

King and Pugliese say they were impressed with the agency during a recent residents’ meeting.

“They were responsive. They were very professional,” Pugliese said.

City staff expect to give the emergency and community services committee a full update in January.

We went from a very efficiently run complex to confused and stressed. ANGELA PUGLIESE TENANT