Senior housing in Chinatown left without elevator for over a week

an elevator issue stranding seniors at a Philadelphia housing complex. The issue is so bad some people are stepping up by carrying those seniors up and down the stairs. Yeah the elevator's been out for days now but is there a fix on the way? Action News reporter Amanda Pitts now live in Chinatown with the latest this afternoon. Amanda. Yeah Brian and Sarah, this building is affordable housing for seniors. It's five stories tall and they've been without an elevator for over a week now. We spoke to a man anonymously who tells us one of those seniors has mobility issues. He lives on the very top floor and he has been carrying that man up and down these flights of stairs. It's just not acceptable. This elevator out of service sign is what people living at the Manin house at the corner of 9th and Vine in Chinatown have been met with for the last eight days when trying to leave their building. We said oh you know it might take a day or two and then a day or two turn into a few days turn into a week and now we're over a week. The elevator was halted last Thursday. This man who's a caretaker for some residents spoke to Action News anonymously saying it's been a struggle for the seniors who call this five-story building home. The elderly on the on the top floor you know he might be able to make it up a floor or two but you know we really after that point you know we really have to kind of carry him up. At this point he just doesn't want to come down because it's so exhausting. Manin House is owned by Penrose Properties which runs 350 developments in 19 states. It opened in June of last year as 100% affordable senior housing with 51 units. Penrose said a compliance issue was flagged during a routine state inspection last week and the elevator was put on a temporary pause. In a statement Penrose said they're working to immediately address the compliance issue and recertify the elevators for use with an inspection scheduled for Monday March 2nd. The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation said the holdup has been getting that state inspector in the door. Somebody needs to step in make sure it's working. This caretaker says he's speaking out for those who are afraid to saying he'd like to see more urgency for such a vulnerable population. They don't want to lose their subsidies they don't they don't want to make this a commotion they don't want to complain just hope they treat the elderly as if they're their own parents or grandparents. Now Penrose said that they are supporting residents by having staff here 24-7 including helping residents bring their groceries upstairs. They also said that they have a fire watch in place. Live in Chinatown Amanda Pitts Channel 6 Action News. Brian hoping for a fix there Amanda thank you.