The elevator at a Lowertown Community Housing Complex is now up and running, a week after it first broke and stranded some residents in their apartments.

The only elevator at 181 Bruyere shut down last Wednesday after maintenance staff found a leaky valve.

Stephane Giguere, the CEO of Ottawa Community Housing Corporation, says the elevator was closed to for safety reasons. It was only scheduled to be closed for a few hours, but the repair was delayed as staff waited for a part to be delivered from the United States.

OCH worked late into the night Tuesday to fix the 31-year-old elevator. It was back in commission around dinner time Wednesday. They say staff will remain on site overnight to assist and support the building's 39 tenants. 

"We recognize that this has been a very difficult situation for our tenants; we sincerely thank them for their patience," the organization says in a statement. 

Residents, many of whom are elderly and or disabled, say OCH should have acted faster.

Lani Elwood, 65, has lived in the four story apartment for five years, in which time the elevator has broken down three times. She says she feels isolated and extremely frustrated.

"I can't get down the stairs by myself and climb myself up the stairs with a pile of groceries or my laundry," she says.

Elwood is battling bone cancer and has extreme arthritis. Her condition makes her reliant on a power wheelchair that is stored in the first floor lobby.  Without an elevator, she says she feels trapped.

"It takes away my rights to independence and freedom of movement in my life."

On Tuesday evening, Ottawa Community Housing hired somebody to help residents with everyday tasks, including carrying up their laundry. They also say residents have access to a 24 hour call center where they can launch complaints and request assistance, and that staff had been conducting routine door-to-door assessments.

Nurses from the Victorian Order of Nurses were brought in Wednesday to offer additional assistance.

Giguere says OCH has plans to repair and replace elevators in all of their buildings.