KALIHI — Tenants of a 65-year-old apartment building where a second-story lanai and stairwell collapsed yesterday said they have long voiced concerns about repairs at the walk-up.

Char Maine Padayao, who lives with her mother and three others in the apartment building at 2021 Stanley St., said the family had complained as far back as 2004 about the concrete-and-wood stairwell that gave way about 8:48 a.m.

Padayao said the owner of the building told her she could not afford to address residents' concerns. The family recently started looking for a new place because they were afraid for their safety, but were unable to find anything better with the rent they are able to pay. The Stanley Street units rent for about $500 a month.

"This is the best we can afford right now," Padayao said.

At least 20 people living in the building are being put up elsewhere while the owner — listed in property records as Kay Adaniya — addresses structural issues after yesterday's incident.

The owner declined comment yesterday.

No one was injured when the stairwell and lanai collapsed, but firefighters did use a ladder to help 47-year-old Charlene Padayao, her 2-year-old grandson and their two dogs out of a second-story apartment.

Fire officials evacuated the building after the collapse and the American Red Cross said the owner of the building has agreed to temporarily house tenants in other properties while the work is under way. It is unclear when tenants of the seven units in the building will move back in.

The city Department of Planning and Permitting inspected the building after the collapse and said it may have other structural concerns. It's unlikely the property will be condemned, but the city has recommended that a structural engineer inspect the building.

Until the stairwell is repaired, the city has ordered Padayao's apartment to remain empty.

The city issued a "notice of violation" to the owner after the incident. Details on the citation, including whether it carried a fine, were not immediately available.

RED FLAGS RAISED

The last time the building was issued a citation was about a decade ago, when city inspectors said a different second-floor stairway was rusted and dangerous.

The stairwell that collapsed yesterday serves only the Padayaos' apartment.

When it fell, it partially blocked the door to a first-floor apartment and damaged a window.

It also damaged a wall, which will have to be torn down.

Hermie Ara, who lives with his wife and three children under the Padayaos, agreed that the stairwell and lanai have long looked unstable. "It looked like it would collapse," he said.

While the landlord wouldn't discuss yesterday's incident, she did confirm that she owns two other similar apartment buildings in the low-income neighborhood.

All three walk-ups went on the market in 2005, but never sold. According to real estate listings, the buildings — totaling 20 units — were being sold for a total of $899,000.

The oldest was built in 1936, and a disclosure with the listing said all the apartment buildings were "greatly in need of repair." Rental income from the units totaled $112,000 in 2005, the listing said, which averages out to nearly $500 a month for each unit.

City property records show the building whose stairwell collapsed yesterday has never undergone major improvements. The real estate listing said the owner spends about $33,000 annually on the properties, but did not elaborate on the expenses.

NO SPOT CHECKS

Henry Eng, city Permitting Department director, said the city does not regularly inspect walk-ups or other residential properties. An inspector will respond to complaints, however, and the city requires that buildings be brought up to code if they are undergoing any major improvements, he said.

"If someone were undergoing renovation, then we would work with them to update the structure," Eng said. "But it's their property. They can fix it, or not fix it."

Housing advocates say the incident highlights the problem of substandard housing in the Islands. They say that many affordable rentals, especially in urban Honolulu, are in need of major repairs, but putting money into maintenance often means rents will go up.

"Because there is a housing crisis here, people are willing to settle for so much less," said Gavin Thornton, head housing attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i. "They're willing to settle for just atrocious conditions. There's such a great demand for affordable housing, and people are willing to put up with that instead of living on the beach."

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.