Community housing development celebrates 20 years of serving Hamilton

This article was originally published in CBC Hamilton, Sept. 5, 2012

When Keith Trotman first arrived in Hamilton 42 years ago, he had trouble finding a place to live.

He wished there were more affordable housing options in the city.

In a way, Trotman got his wish. In 1992, a handful of members of the black community in Hamilton started a housing project to offer affordable places for low-income people.

They built Ebony Group Community Homes on Upper Ottawa Street near Stonechurch Family Health Centre.

Ebony's 55 units are for lower income-families, victims of violence and the physically disabled. On Thursday, Ebony celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Trotman thinks the celebration is an important way to let the public to know about Ebony's efforts to support marginalized communities in Hamilton.

"The community per se does not know about us. They don't know these houses exist," said Trotman, who has been on the board of Ebony for 10 years.

Trotman is proud of Ebony.

"It's the fact that we've been in existence for 20 years. A housing project run by an ethnic group of people and they [the residents] can see it as a stepping stone to better things," said Trotman.

Residents of Ebony are diverse, a mix of whites and visible minorities. Ten to 15 percent of the residents are lower-income blacks.

"We're able to bring it to its present success and able to do it this way," added Trotman.

Resident Amanda Bokla loves it.

"It's a place for my children to grow up and meet new people, to experience what the city has to offer," said Bokla, referring to her two boys.

The college student has lived in one of Ebony's three-bedroom units for five years.

But Ebony is not perfect. Resident Jackie Anderson thinks management could do better.

She complains of the laundry machine constantly breaking down in her unit and wants management to be more responsive to residents' needs.

Ebony board member Maxine Carter says one of the reasons for Thursday's open house is to get to know residents better.

"I am open to hearing about complaints. But I also want to know how we could keep [the residents] engaged," explained Carter, who is also the Access and Equity coordinator for the City of Hamilton.

"They will feel more ownership of their home," said Carter. She sees Ebony as a step towards a better future, citing three residents who have moved from there to their own homes.

"I always thought that's a nice goal to strive for," said Carter.

Rushelle Irons, who is new to the board, agrees.

"It is a good basis for people who can't afford regular rent," she said.

Irons moved here from Jamaica 11 years ago and recalled paying a lot for rent as a college student. She thinks subsidized housing is a "great option" for newcomers to establish themselves in the city.

"Once you are back on your feet, you can move on to another place," said Irons, who now lives in Burlington.

As the youngest board member, Irons is honoured to be a part of the committee.

"I'm very proud of what other members have done. They are doing a great job by providing a safe, clean, and affordable environment for people," said the 32-year old, Irons, who has been on the board for seven months.

The Ebony Group Community Homes is located in 1526 Upper Ottawa Street.