Judge Orders Landlord To Provide 'Trapped' Residents With Necessities Until Elevator Fixed

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Dozens of people "trapped" at the Shep Davis apartment building in Miami Beach because of a broken elevator are getting some emergency support thanks to a judge.

Judge Teretha Thomas issued an order mandating the landlord provide food, water, medicines and other necessities to the elderly and frail residents of building.

The elevator has been broken for a week, forcing residents, many of whom are elderly, to take the stairs – something most simply can't do.

Lawyers representing the tenants have now filed suit.

"It's very difficult," said Ortega Saint Yves, leaning on her walker inside her sixth-floor apartment. "I feel like a little bird trapped in a cage."

Residents said they were told the elevator would be fixed on Friday, August 19th, by the building's management company, Triumph Housing Management, based in Atlanta. However, that wasn't done.

Miami Beach spokesperson Melissa Berthier said the building's owner has been ordered to bring the elevator completely up to modern standards. Berthier said if that isn't done, the owners could face fines reaching $10,000 a day.

The city could order the building vacated but so far, has chosen not to go that route – not wanting to add to the misery already being endured by the elderly residents.