Residents Demand Action Amid Deteriorating Conditions in Hamilton Seniors’ Building

Residents of a seniors’ apartment building in Hamilton are voicing serious concerns over deteriorating conditions, citing frequent encounters with needles, urine, and feces in common areas. The situation escalated for resident and volunteer leader Rose Hamilton, who decided to pause the Senior Watch program, which provided vital support to vulnerable tenants, after a distressing incident on January 6, 2023.

First Place, a facility managed by CityHousing Hamilton (CHH), has become a focal point of frustration for its residents. Hamilton, 68, leads the Senior Watch initiative, where volunteers check on approximately two dozen residents daily. She noted that the stairwells have become increasingly hazardous, filled with syringes, bodily fluids, and other debris. Despite reporting these issues to management, Hamilton claims that clean-up often takes days, leaving residents in unsafe conditions.

In an email to city staff, Hamilton expressed her distress, stating, “I feel terrible about the tenants involved in the program that depend on it.” She emphasized the need for immediate action, as the current state of the building is unlivable. “I cannot continue, nor ask my volunteers to continue, walking these halls and stairwells,” she added.

The building, located on King Street East, primarily serves lower-income seniors. Hamilton’s concerns are rooted in a tragic history; several residents died alone in their units, only to be discovered due to foul odors. This prompted Hamilton to revive the Senior Watch program last spring, initially suspended during the pandemic, as a means of ensuring the wellbeing of fellow tenants.

Residents signal their safety by hanging a sign on their doors, which volunteers check each morning. If a sign is missing, volunteers knock and, if there’s no response, Hamilton contacts emergency contacts or requests a wellness check from the police.

Management’s Response and Ongoing Issues

In response to the program’s suspension, city staff proposed a temporary solution. Hamilton now has the ability to put the elevator in service mode during her checks, allowing her to avoid the stairwells altogether. While this change may streamline her efforts, Hamilton insists that the core issue—a lack of maintenance and cleaning—remains unaddressed. She now refers to First Place as “Last Place,” reflecting her discontent with the living conditions.

Adam Sweedland, CHH’s chief executive officer, stated that improvements to cleaning services were implemented in October 2022. “We remain committed to being responsive to concerns with our primary focus on the health and safety of all tenants,” he said in an emailed statement. He affirmed that stairwells receive daily inspections, with two full-time cleaners assigned to the building.

Despite these assurances, Hamilton and fellow resident Brenda Hind, aged 58, report ongoing neglect. They regularly document issues and communicate with management, but often receive delayed responses. “We’re the two troublemakers in the building,” Hind remarked, underscoring her dedication to improving conditions for fellow residents.

Hind has taken it upon herself to clean up what she describes as “totally disgusting” conditions, including dog urine in the hallways. However, she has largely given up, stating, “I’ve asked the cleaners to clean the trim because it’s so caked in piss. They won’t do it. They say, ‘It’s not our job.’”

Safety and Security Concerns

Hind has also been active in collecting drug paraphernalia found in the stairwells, filling two sharp bins within a week. “That’s why we scream so much about it,” she said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. CHH has urged residents to refrain from picking up needles and to report such findings instead. Trained staff, equipped with personal protective equipment, handle the disposal of hazardous materials.

Sweedland mentioned that efforts are underway to improve security at First Place, including increased patrols and modifications to entrances. “We’re trying to stop people from entering who don’t live here,” he stated, in response to concerns about unauthorized access.

During a recent tour of First Place, Hind showed reporters from CBC Hamilton areas that had been compromised, including a side entrance broken into and littered with personal belongings and waste. After reporting the situation to security, Hind expressed hope that assistance would arrive soon.

The challenges residents at First Place face highlight broader issues of safety and maintenance in community housing. As Hamilton and Hind continue to advocate for their neighbors, their calls for action emphasize the urgent need for effective management and improved living conditions in the building.