Click here to see photos of Joplin apartment communities devastated by the tornado. Representing NAA in the photos are Region 5 Vice Presidents Gary Wilson and Christine Lee, both from Missouri. (NOTE: Some of the apartments communities shown are not part of NAA.).
From Gary Wilson, president of the Missouri Apartment Association (via e-mail to NAA Headquarters) on May 27, 2011:
“We met with several owners who lost units. Christine Lee, Jeannette Cox (President of the Apartment Association of Kansas City) and Heather Elkins with BluSky Restoration Contractors all met me in Joplin. We met with several members of the Southwest Missouri Rental Housing Association (based in Joplin) -- Cheryl Brown, the SMRHA Associate Executive, and members Creighton Olson, Ron Wheeler and Daryl Rhodes.
“We looked at a few of Creighton Olson’s units that were destroyed and also 60 units of another member’s that were destroyed. We, of course, drove all over the destruction area and ended by looking at a 300-unit complex ...
“I had an appointment with the Mayor of Joplin but 10 minutes before I arrived, Homeland Security showed up and trumped my appointment. I guess I can live with being trumped by the President as part of it was about his visit on Sunday. I did, however, get the Mayor’s cell phone number and I am to call him next week to discuss how we can help them with their housing issues ...
“We are starting to get calls in Springfield to place people and we are 70 miles away ... One of our owners also got a call from FEMA about housing so we hope to make a direct contact there. I was able to leave a list of all of our owners in Springfield that are members of the Greater Springfield Apartment and Housing Association for them to pass out to people that need help finding housing.”
See related information about how you can help the Southwest Missouri Rental Housing Association and Joplin residents by clicking here.