Queens Residents Dealing With Costly Home Elevator Repair Bills

Residents of elevated homes near the water in Queens, NY, are dealing with frequently out-of-service elevators and resulting costly repair bills, CBS News reported in February. A representative of a civic association in Hamilton Beach in south Queens told the source dozens of homes — not only in Hamilton Beach but also in Broad Channel and Breezy Point — were elevated as part of NYC’s “Build It Back” program in the wake of Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Many area homeowners incorporated elevators into their plans, including one disabled man who said his often-broken lift is “bleeding him dry” financially. Observing that lifts can short circuit when they come into contact with water and that repairs come with a wait and can cost thousands, he plans to either build a water-resistant enclosure for the elevator or move away.