U.S. Rep. Al Green’s visit to discuss elevator outages at a senior complex was disrupted, but he vows action if owners stay silent.
MISSOURI CITY, Texas — A visit from U.S. Rep. Al Green to a Missouri City senior living complex hit a snag shortly after it began.
Green had come to speak with elderly tenants at the Jubilee at Texas Parkway about ongoing elevator outages that have left many residents stranded on upper floors. But when he arrived alongside Missouri City Councilmember Jeffrey Boney and a news crew, the property manager told the group they weren’t welcome.
Residents pushed back, insisting that their guests come inside.
Even then, the meeting was soon interrupted by another official who questioned why the visitors, including the congressman, were there.
Boney said the situation has been dragging on for months.
“One has been out almost a year, since September and the other one has been out for over a month,” Boney said.
In response, the city has begun fining the complex up to $500 per day for each code violation.
The outages are especially hard on residents with mobility issues. The laundry room is on the third floor, which isn’t accessible to those who use wheelchairs. Some tenants said they’ve canceled doctor appointments, and others haven’t left their apartments in weeks. One woman hasn’t been able to go downstairs in two months.
“We will not allow tax dollars to subsidize a property that will not keep an elevator working when you have persons in need who need an elevator,” Green said.
Green said he’s requested a formal meeting with the complex’s owners and management. So far, he hasn’t received a response. If the silence continues, he said, further action may be necessary.
Apartment management declined to comment, and it’s still unclear when the elevators will be repaired.
“I am grateful that you will take this message to the masses because I think this is where it can cause people who normally would not act to act,” Green said.