'It makes me feel like nobody cares'
LYNNWOOD, Wash. -- Elderly and disabled tenants say they are trapped in their apartment building, as they've been without their elevator for two months. And the agency that owns the apartments can't give an estimate of when the elevators will be fixed.
June Mannon, 83, is one of those who feels marooned in her own apartment.
"I don't like it a bit," she said. "Somebody has goofed up somewhere."
Tenants can't understand what's taking so long. Their elevator at the 36-unit Robin Park Apartments has been under repair since Aug. 17.
The Snohomish County Housing Authority manages the building, and it installed a chair lift to help tenants get out. But some tenants said they don't feel safe on the lift, and have to get off, then back on between each floor.
"I have to fold my walker, put it on my lap and ride it down the steps with me," Mannon said.
Housing Authority Executive Director Bob Davis said delays are often part of renovation projects. When asked why this project has taken so long, he said he'd reply with the specifics next week.
The tenants have been informed about the elevator renovation through a series of letters.
The first one said it would take six weeks. Another said it would be done in another week. Then yet another said it would be ready by Oct. 5m only to be followed by another letter on Oct. 1 that stated it was not known just when the elevator would be fixed.
"A lot of us here are handicapped and disabled. Give me a break!" said tenant Sally Sweet. "How much does one person take? We've taken quite a bit."
Evelyn Bafour had enough two weeks ago and wrote a letter to the housing authority complaining about the situation, and 13 of her neighbors signed it. She's still waiting for a response.
"It makes me feel like nobody cares, or nothing," she said.
Most of the tenants are leaning on their caretakers to do their shopping or they're doing without.
In the meantime, KOMO News contacted the fire marshal's office to find if the situation is deemed safe, but the office is closed until Tuesday as it is relocating.
June Mannon, 83, is one of those who feels marooned in her own apartment.
"I don't like it a bit," she said. "Somebody has goofed up somewhere."
Tenants can't understand what's taking so long. Their elevator at the 36-unit Robin Park Apartments has been under repair since Aug. 17.
The Snohomish County Housing Authority manages the building, and it installed a chair lift to help tenants get out. But some tenants said they don't feel safe on the lift, and have to get off, then back on between each floor.
"I have to fold my walker, put it on my lap and ride it down the steps with me," Mannon said.
Housing Authority Executive Director Bob Davis said delays are often part of renovation projects. When asked why this project has taken so long, he said he'd reply with the specifics next week.
The tenants have been informed about the elevator renovation through a series of letters.
The first one said it would take six weeks. Another said it would be done in another week. Then yet another said it would be ready by Oct. 5m only to be followed by another letter on Oct. 1 that stated it was not known just when the elevator would be fixed.
"A lot of us here are handicapped and disabled. Give me a break!" said tenant Sally Sweet. "How much does one person take? We've taken quite a bit."
Evelyn Bafour had enough two weeks ago and wrote a letter to the housing authority complaining about the situation, and 13 of her neighbors signed it. She's still waiting for a response.
"It makes me feel like nobody cares, or nothing," she said.
Most of the tenants are leaning on their caretakers to do their shopping or they're doing without.
In the meantime, KOMO News contacted the fire marshal's office to find if the situation is deemed safe, but the office is closed until Tuesday as it is relocating.