At this week’s City Council Meeting, Councilor Ed Flynn filed a hearing order to discuss the current status of the elevator systems across Boston Housing Authority (BHA) developments. The elevator systems in many BHA developments are aging and frequent reports of breakdowns have negatively impacted the quality of life and raised public safety concerns for many residents, including seniors and persons with disabilities. The hearing will seek to address the ongoing safety and reliability of the elevator system across BHA developments and discuss a financial and maintenance plan.
Over the last few years, tenants in BHA developments such as the Ruth Barkley Apartments in the South End, Torre Unidad at West Dedham Street, and St. Botolph BHA in District 2 have complained of recurring elevator breakdowns and prolonged periods of maintenance and repair. Tenants have complained of getting stuck in elevators, elevators skipping floors, and elevator repair parts taking a long time to arrive. Seniors and persons with disabilities have been particularly impacted and have expressed frustration at not being able to leave their apartments for prolonged periods of time, resulting in missed medical appointments and not being able to pick up groceries.
“It is critical for the BHA to have a financial and maintenance plan to address our aging elevator systems across BHA developments,” said Councilor Flynn. “This is a public safety and quality of life issue – when elevators are constantly in disrepair, it is virtually impossible for tenants, especially those who live on higher floors, and for our seniors and persons with disabilities to get out of their building. It is imperative that the BHA conducts a comprehensive review and inspection on the status of every elevator in BHA developments, including the repair history of each elevator, the frequency it has been shut down, and how often first responders have had to visit.”
For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and [email protected].