The elevator at 640 Fisgard St. has been repaired and residents can finally take their garbage out, buy groceries and run errands.
It had been out of commission since Dec. 2, after an apparent electrical malfunction in the subsidized seniors’ residence.
“Issues with the elevator have been getting progressively worse — it has shut down for an hour or two and then a day,” said Heidi Higgins, 70. “This time, there were plumes of black smoke in the basement and it quit completely.”
Since then, tenants — seniors and people with mobility issues — have struggled to get to and from their apartments in the seven-storey building.
“We understand everyone’s frustrations,” said Christine Culham, senior manager of regional housing for the Capital Regional District, which includes responsibility for the Capital Region Housing Corporation, which manages the building. “This was a series of very unfortunate events. We have never had an elevator down for this long before.”
Once they became aware of the issue, she said, her staff offered support services, going door-to-door on three occasions and meeting with 80 per cent of the residents. At apartments where no one answered, staff members left notices on the status of the elevator repair, offering help if needed.
Residents were provided food, when requested, from the Mustard Seed and St. Vincent de Paul.
Culham said the Capital Region Housing Corporation will reimburse residents who have required the services of Medi-Van to transport them to and from their suites.
One resident was put up in a hotel for the duration, due to unique circumstance, she said.
The elevator problem, while stressful for everyone, brought the residents together. “This is a small community and residents have responded to this issue by helping each other out,” said Don Johnson, a resident for 17 years who served eight years as the building’s caretaker. “The current caretaker has been getting groceries — and delivering them — for some people. Others have knocked on doors to ensure their neighbours are OK.”
He said the building for the most part is well-maintained and this is the most serious incident in the time he has lived there.
Johnson said when he served as caretaker, the elevator was inspected monthly in the building, built in 1994.
“This could have happened to any building,” said Johnson, 70.
parrais@timescolonist.com
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Earlier story
Fifty seniors and disabled persons living in subsidized housing have been mostly confined to their apartments for almost two weeks due to the only elevator in the building being out of service.
Since Dec. 2, many of the residents of 620 Fisgard St. have been unable to go for groceries, keep medical appointments, go to work or even visit one another. Most of the tenants are seniors or have disabilities that make it difficult for them climb stairs.
“There was a burning smell and the next thing you know, it just stopped working,” said Nancy Hum, 70. “It has happened before, but never for more than a day or two.”
She said they cannot take out their garbage, do laundry, or get mail or newspapers. “Essentially, we are imprisoned and isolated in our homes, like house arrest without the anklet.”
The building is managed by Capital Region Housing Corp., who acknowledged it is aware of the issue. “We know it has been frustrating for residents,” said Andy Orr, spokesperson for the corporation, a non-profit provider of more than 1,200 affordable rental units in the capital region. “The part to fix the elevator got held up at the border and the repair has taken longer than anticipated.”
They have posted notices apologizing for the inconvenience.
Residents have lodged numerous complaints with the housing manager. The corporation has tried to address residents’ concerns by asking them to call Medi-Van, a non-emergency transportation company, to get them to and from their apartments.
Medi-Van charges $50 a floor to move a resident. For Janet York, who lives on the seventh floor, that means a $350 bill every time she leaves or returns home. “I sure hope they [Capital Region Housing] will pay those bills when they come due,” said York, 73.
Even though their independence has been taken away from them, many residents are reluctant to openly voice their frustration due to a fear of being evicted. “My own son asked me: ‘Is it worth it? I don’t want to see my mom homeless,’ ” said Hum, a past president of the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society. “Even though I said yes, I am still scared of repercussions.”
People are suffering, not just physically, but mentally, as isolation leads to depression and malnutrition due to lack of food, she said.
Hum said she is especially concerned for those without friends or family to call on.
A young woman was sent to knock on doors on Wednesday to deliver an update on elevator repairs.
“When I tried to tell her how critical the situation was to us, she replied: ‘I understand how you feel,’ ” Hum said. “My response was, ‘No, you do not understand. You are young, able-bodied, not restricted by mobility and physical conditions. You are not a senior or a disabled person. How could you possibly understand?’ ”
The missing elevator part has cleared customs and the repair is expected to be completed Thursday or Friday at the latest, Orr said.
parrais@timescolonist.com
