Disabled Portland Hotel residents left stranded without elevator
Only elevator in 9-storey social housing facility has been broken for more than a week
A 57-year-old quadriplegic man is among 20 Vancouver residents with mobility issues, struggling to get by without an elevator in the Portland Hotel social housing facility.
The hotel in the city's Downtown Eastside has nine floors and houses about 100 people, many of whom have mobility impairment. But the building's only elevator has been broken for more than a week.
I feel secluded from the world, for sure...there's nowhere to go- John, Portland Hotel Resident
"I can't get to work, I can't grab a shower on the first floor, the only place with a wheel-in shower for the wheelchair," said John, who who didn't wish to give his last name.
"I feel secluded from the world for sure... There's nowhere to go."
John, who lives on the second floor, uses a wheelchair to get around since a fall 30 years ago left him quadriplegic.
Since the elevator stopped working on Feb. 27, he said, he hasn't been able to leave his apartment at all and is out hundreds of dollars because he couldn't get to work.
"Me, personally, I don't know what to do anymore at all... other than sit here and let the time pass by."
Portland Hotel Society frustrated
Ted Bruce, interim executive director of the Portland Hotel Society, which runs the building, says the organization is frustrated by the wait time to get the elevator fixed, which he has heard is due to a delay getting parts.
"They have explained to us it's a shipping problem for them, a delivery problem. Certainly response time has not been what we like to see."
Otis United Technologies, the elevator repair company, said in a statement: "We are working as quickly as possible to address the repair. Safety is always a top priority. We expect to have the elevator operational soon."
"Additional staff have been added for the afternoon and evening shifts to help residents and ensure they are receiving meals and medication," reads the statement.
It also noted BC Housing and the PHS are working together to ensure a permanent solution.
But the PHS estimates a second elevator could cost close to $1 million. As for John, he hopes something can be sorted out, soon.
"I can't get any fresh air, any sunshine. It's not a lot of fun."
With files from Jeff Harrington