Residents of Citadel Court in Plymouth have led a very difficult life. Their elevator has been broken since February, making a world of difference for their tenants. One of the tenants who pressures the landlord is 73-year-old Myra Hunter, who has lived on the fourth floor with her seven-year-old granddaughter. The elevator failure has left many residents feeling sick, unsafe, and alone. This is a particularly troubling dynamic for people in their 80s and 90s.
Back in February, Hunter and her 3-year-old granddaughter went through a traumatic experience. What they hadn’t anticipated was getting stuck in one for about ten minutes. There was a manager on scene to help support them. The incident left Hunter with even deeper concerns about safety and accessibility in the building. She became increasingly claustrophobic and lonely in her flat. It’s been very difficult for her to navigate the stairs.
“The situation has been very difficult for many of us,” said Hunter. “Leaving residents without an elevator for nine weeks is not acceptable.” The one operational elevator hasn’t been in service. It’s a dangerous catch-22 that makes it particularly challenging for residents who may have trouble with steps. One neighbor was unable to visit his wife, who lives in a care facility, due to the elevator being out of order.
During the temporary relocation, Hunter has expressed his frustration at the insufficient communication from Sanctuary, the housing provider that owns the building where PHA houses tenants. Initially, she recounted getting “very sporadic” and “contradictory” information about the state of elevator repairs.
We need to know what’s going on, Hunter said, calling for more transparency from the administration.
The chronic elevator failure is creating rampant anxiety among elderly citizens at Citadel Court. Further, 44% of them rely on the elevator to access essential services and lead their daily lives. As the weeks went by with no solution, Hunter pushed for clearer communication and more support from Sanctuary.
“We all own the flats. We need openness and honesty,” she added, highlighting the need for accountability from those managing the building.
