Missouri City senior complex hit with $381K penalty fees for 'out-of-order elevators'

Missouri City senior apartment complex hit with $381K penalty

Upper-level residents of the Jubilee at Texas Parkway complex have reportedly been stuck on their floors for almost two months due to "out-of-service elevators."

MISSOURI CITY, Texas - A senior living complex in Missouri City is facing penalties of over $380,000 for allegedly not operating their elevators according to Texas standards.

Senior complex hit with $381K in penalties

What we know:

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) says they've calculated an administrative penalty of $381,400 against the Jubilee at Texas Parkway complex. 

According to a TDLR news release, upper-floor residents of the complex have been stuck on their floors since early May due to the elevators not working. That should've been reported to the department within 30 days of the elevators being listed as out of service.

In addition to that, the elevators are supposed to have a proper safety inspection every 12 months. According to TDLR, one of the elevators hasn't been inspected since 2023, and the inspection reports for either elevator haven't been filed with the department in about four years (1,557 days).

A Certificate of Compliance also has to be obtained for the elevators and posted somewhere visible. TDLR says Jubilee hasn't had that certificate in that same time period (1,557 days).

Jubilee has been issued 1,601 violations, all regarding the complex's two elevators. That includes 1,557 Class B violations for "failing to obtain an annual certificate of compliance."

The penalties for each violation range between a maximum of $1,000-$5,000.

What's next:

TDLR says Jubilee has to have its elevators up to standards immediately, or the department could file an Emergency Shutdown Order for those elevators.

The other side:

FOX 26 has reached out to Jubilee at Texas Parkway for comment, but has yet to hear back at this time.

Senator Miles statement

What they're saying:

Texas Senator Borris L. Miles (District 13) sent the following statement to FOX 26:

"It is unacceptable and unconscionable that the elevators at Jubilee at Texas Parkway, a senior independent living facility, have been out of service for nearly two months! 

Our seniors are the most vulnerable members of our community, and those living in this facility have been left with nothing but excuses.

When my office was contacted about this issue, I reached out to the owner of Jubilee, Gardner Capital, but received no response. 

To find solutions, I collaborated with Congressman Al Green and Missouri City Council Member Jeffrey L. Boney. Despite violation notices issued by Missouri City, the elevator service was still not restored. 

I then escalated the matter to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which imposed over $300,000 in fines on this housing project.

 Changes must be made, and those responsible for senior living facilities must be held accountable. 

We cannot allow these facilities, especially those serving our seniors, to take advantage of our most vulnerable citizens. 

I will continue to put pressure on the Jubilee management company and its owner until the power to the elevators is restored.

In the future, I plan to work on legislation in the next legislative session aimed at protecting our most vulnerable residents by addressing these issues within senior independent living facilities."