Monthslong elevator breakdown at a Montpelier complex leaves some residents feeling stranded

Residents and advocates are raising the alarm over an elevator that has been unusable for over two months in a Montpelier subsidized housing complex primarily for older adults.

Zach Hughes, a resident of the Prospect Street building for nearly 23 years who advocates for disability and mental health issues, said the malfunction has caused major problems for residents on upper floors with mobility challenges.

“We obviously have people with adaptive equipment and wheelchairs here,” he said.

Hughes said he knew of at least one resident who hadn’t been able to leave their floor of the building at all since July, and suspected there might be more. Others, he said, have made the climb up and down only rarely and with extreme difficulty. It’s not the only Montpelier subsidized or affordable hou