Housing Authority Residents Want Elevators Fixed

Several residents of the Hoboken Housing Authority spoke up during last week's monthly public meeting about elevators not working in several HHA buildings. 

Executive Director Carmelo Garcia said that many of the elevators in the buildings are the original elevators that were built more than three decades ago and the the authority is in the process of renovating them.

"Some are 30 years old," Garcia said. "They're obsolete." For some, the parts aren't even being made, Garcia said.

"This has been going on for over a year," said HHA resident Robert Rivera. "People are scared to go up or down."

Rivera also said the doors sometimes get stuck.

Other residents also voiced concerns about the elevators in the HHA buildings. 

Resident Arlette Braxton told the board of commissioners that the floor of the elevator in 310 Jackson has to be replaced, because of a leak. One of the problems is that people urinate in the elevators.

At least one elevator will be replaced completely, Garcia said. Garcia also said that the floors in the elevators would be done within a week.

Other concerns at the meeting included one of the HHA employees and exterminator problems in the buildings.

The Housing Authority also announced that soon, there will be six police officers living in the public buildings. HHA residents will be able to meet the "men in blue" at the next public meeting, said Garcia.