The elevator at the Jubilee at Texas Parkway has been down for nearly two months, but there is still no clear repair timeline in sight.
MISSOURI CITY, Texas — It has been nearly two months since the elevator at the Jubilee at Texas Parkway senior apartments in Missouri City broke down, but it is still unclear when the issue will be resolved.
While seniors living in the four-story building continue to wait, a special group of community members stepped in to help on Sunday.
With bags full of toiletries, hygiene products and nonperishable food items, local veterans climbed all 80 steps of the building to hand-deliver supplies to residents, especially those stuck on the upper floors. That includes fourth-floor resident Mary Hordge.
“It’s a surprise. But I’m very thankful. I’m very thankful for that,” Hordge said.
Hordge said she has been stranded in her apartment since early May, when the elevator stopped working. She said taking the stairs is simply not an option.
“We’ve been locked up in the apartment because I have a heart and a breathing problem,” Hordge said.
Veterans advocate LaShondra Jones said she felt compelled to take action after hearing about the situation.
“If there are some veterans in there, we’re going to help them. But we’re also going to help the rest of the tenants that are here, so I made some phone calls, sent some text messages, and this is the crew that showed up,” Jones said.
One of those who showed up was Navy veteran Christopher Fahey, who emphasized the importance of community support, noting how being isolated in a situation like this can be scary.
“I’m a veteran, a combat veteran, with PTSD. I’m a survivor. I understand what it’s like to be alone, and to be alone with your thoughts and to not feel supported,” Fahey said.
Missouri City Council Member Jeffrey L. Boney said the city is continuing to issue daily citations against the property until the elevator is repaired.
“These people deserve better,” Boney said.
Boney, who has enlisted the help of U.S. Rep. Al Green, said Green’s office recently received a letter from the corporate offices of Gardner Capital, stating that Asset Living – the Jubilee’s apartment management company – has 15 days to fix the elevator.
When asked what happens if that deadline is not met, Boney responded: “We’re trying to attack these things from all angles, at the state level, tax credits, anything that can get this situation resolved.”
But for fourth-floor resident Renee Hill, the wait has already gone on too long. She said she has made the difficult decision to move out.
“I have COPD. I have a heart condition, and I’ve got to climb up four flights of stairs, and I just can’t do it,” Hill said.
Apartment management did not respond to KHOU 11’s request for comment Sunday. However, they previously told KHOU 11 that they are still waiting on a part for the repair to arrive and are at the mercy of the warehouse for shipping it.