‘Red tape:’ Eastern Kentucky senior apartment building without working elevator for 6 months

JACKSON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Residents in a Jackson, Kentucky residence constructing are rising annoyed as a result of they haven’t been in a position to make use of a working elevator because the floods that struck jap Kentucky six months in the past.

“I am unable to get my mail, I am unable to get my rubbish out,” mentioned Kathy Bays Alberts, who lives on the top-floor of the Federal Place Residences.

Alberts, who makes use of a walker, is now compelled to drag herself up the 48 stairs by the handrails.

“I am unable to get down until my son comes over and I hate to be such a hassle to him,” Alberts mentioned.

The lengthy look forward to a working elevator has left her annoyed.

Johan Graham, president of building-owner AU Associates, says they do not have the $125,000 readily available to repair the elevator as a result of they largely lease reasonably priced housing items.

All federal place residence items are thought-about reasonably priced housing and are for these 55+.

They tried to undergo correct channels however their FEMA flood insurance coverage declare for the elevator was denied in late-October of final yr. They solely obtained funding to scrub up the remainder of the basement.

It is leaving them to search for alternate funding sources. By working with the state, he mentioned they’ve discovered federal sources and hope to purchase the brand new elevator this month.

Graham remains to be annoyed over FEMA denying their declare. It would not allowed them to begin the method to repair the elevator earlier.

“They’re saying our elevator is beneath grade and in a floodplain and per their technical paperwork they won’t change an elevator in a floodplain” Graham mentioned.

Denying the declare would not make sense, Graham mentioned. He thinks FEMA by no means regarded firsthand and noticed the underside flooring is the place their accessible entrance to parking is.

“It is purple tape” Graham mentioned.

FEMA didn’t return a request for remark.

Alberts needs AU Associates would have mounted the elevator and targeted on the federal government reimbursing them later.

Graham mentioned purple tape prevents that too, requiring them to undergo a selected course of earlier than beginning work.

“When you begin spending cash with out the right permission slip the federal government principally says you are by yourself and we won’t afford that,” Graham mentioned.