Many elderly, frail and sick residents remain stuck in their seven-storey Wollongong unit complex after the building's only lift broke down.
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A resident, who did not want to be named, said the lift at the Housing Trust block at 34 Market Street had only worked once in the past three weeks and residents had been told it would be at least two weeks until it was fixed.
She said while the Housing Trust had arranged temporary alternative accommodation for some residents, others were virtually stranded in their own homes.
"We're talking about elderly people in their seventies and eighties; people with mobility problems who rely on wheelchairs or walking frames; people with terminal illnesses," she said.
"How are they going to walk down several flights of stairs - and these are fire stairs which are very steep. What happens if there is a fire?
"People can't go out to get their groceries, they're missing medical appointments, they really need help."
It's not the first time residents in the rear building, which has 28 units, have faced this problem.
In March 2013 the Mercury reported on the residents' plight when the lift was out of order for nearly a fortnight, and the resident said there had been other breakdowns too.
"If you're going to put elderly people in high-rise buildings you need to make sure that the lift is in constant operation.
"Many residents are too scared to talk out as they are worried about how that will affect their tenancy, but they are all worried sick."
Housing Trust operations manager Chris Lacey said the trust had only been notified of the lift being broken on May 22.
He said technicians were working to diagnose and repair the fault.
"At this stage, The Housing Trust has not been advised of when the lift will be restored," he said.
Mr Lacey said the trust was working with residents on an individual basis to respond to their needs as a result of the lift fault.
"We have been making regular visits to the property to keep residents informed ... and assisting residents with practical support such as rubbish collection and transporting grocery supplies."
Mr Lacey said the trust was "taking advice from expert lift technicians" in regard to finding a long-term solution to the ongoing problem.
"It is important to note that The Housing Trust did not design the building at 34 Market Street," he said.
"Accessibility for older people is a key design element that The Housing Trust recognises should be incorporated into future development projects."
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