For more than a month, residents of a six-story East Flatbush apartment building have been hiking up flights of stairs and, in some cases, crossing neighboring rooftops just to reach a working elevator. The outage has landed hardest on older and mobility-limited tenants. One 85-year-old resident now has to conquer 17 steps multiple times a day for basic errands, neighbors say. What used to be a simple trip home has turned into a daily obstacle course, and frustration with building management is growing as answers remain scarce.
“I can't go nowhere,” said Maureen Achie, who lives on the fourth floor and says repeated climbs up those 17 steps have become unbearable. Neighbors told reporters that one elderly resident had to be escorted into the next building, ride that elevator to the roof, then cross over to reach her own apartment. Building owner Joe Gugenhime told a reporter that “the office is the only one who can answer” questions about the outage. As reported by News 12, city officials said an inspector was being sent to investigate.
Records show tenants filed 276 complaints with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and made 12 service requests through 311 in a single week, according to News 12. Residents say repeated calls to management have yielded only vague repair timelines, stoking fears that the outage could stretch on indefinitely. For many, the problem is not just an inconvenience but a serious health and safety concern for those who depend on elevator access for medication, medical appointments and daily care.
City Response And Enforcement
The Department of Buildings' Elevator Unit oversees elevator safety and notes that when owners fail to restore service, the agency may refer the case to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development for emergency action. According to the city's guidance, HPD can bring in a contractor to repair an elevator, bill the property owner for the work and, if necessary, seek a judgment in Housing Court or place a tax lien to recover unpaid costs. City guidance also urges tenants to keep using 311 so agencies have a clear record of the disruption and can respond appropriately. Full details are available in the NYC Department of Buildings guidance.
Background: A Pattern Of Problems
Public property records and building-data listings show that the building's owner, Joe Gugenhime, manages multiple East Flatbush properties that have drawn repeated complaints and violations. Databases of property records note prior elevator and safety violations at a Linden Boulevard building, including a Class 1 “cease use” designation from the Department of Buildings tied to an elevator accident in 2024. Property records reviewed on PropertyShark and building-data reports on Augrented indicate a history of inspections, complaints and violations at similar nearby addresses.
What Tenants Can Do
Tenants are advised to keep filing 311 complaints and to save documentation of calls, photos and any written communication with management. That paper trail is often crucial if city agencies need to intervene. The Department of Buildings guidance outlines the enforcement process and notes that HPD may perform emergency elevator repairs and charge the owner. If owners do not pay, the city can seek repayment through a lien or Housing Court. Residents with immediate accessibility needs can also contact tenant-advocacy organizations and legal services for help with agency complaints and possible emergency housing remedies.
For now, neighbors say they will keep pressing for answers while bracing for the next trek up the stairs or the risky rooftop crossing. With an inspector on the way and hundreds of complaints already logged, both residents and city officials will be watching closely to see whether enforcement results in a swift fix.
