Pensioners claim they are trapped in homes as accommodation lift broken for eight months

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

Pensioners say they have struggled to leave their homes since November because a broken lift hasn’t been fixed.

Elderly people living upstairs in Shaftesbury House sheltered accommodation in Birchanger Road, Croydon, claim they have been waiting for the lift to be repaired for eight months.

Brandon Williams, who relies on a crutch to walk, has been forced to lug heavy shopping bags up 16 steps to his flat on the first floor of the block since last year.

The 78-year-old claimed other residents have been unable to leave their homes since because they can’t manage the stairs and rely on family to survive.

He said: “I have had to carry my shopping up there for eight months. It’s 16 steps up to my flat. I’ve only got three bottles of water and bread in there and it’s so heavy. If I buy sugar, yam or sweet potatoes how would I get it up? I would have to have a pulley to get it up.

“They have offered the option of moving out temporarily or permanently if you want it but I’ve been here since 2010. One of the ladies hasn’t been out since the lift broke because she can’t get down. If she can’t get outside how can she do the washing? Her granddaughter has to do it.”

Sanctuary, which manages Shaftesbury House, said the lift was first recorded as broken in early December 2021. The housing association has apologised to residents for the ongoing problem.

A Sanctuary spokeswoman said: “This is proving a complex problem to resolve, which requires changes to the power supply into the building, and we continue to work closely with the local power company to find a solution.”

Sanctuary added: “In the meantime, we have offered residents the option of moving into alternative accommodation, have provided additional advice and assistance where needed, and ensured extra support has been provided quickly when requested.”

Pictured top: Shaftesbury House (Picture: Google Street View)