You may have seen in the news that Pioneer Plaza, one of our high rise apartment communities for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, experienced a significant fire last night, March 30. We are incredibly grateful to Tulsa Fire Department and other first responders who ensured that our residents were safely evacuated. We are also thankful for our staff members that responded immediately to assess and assist with the needs of our residents.
There are 17 residents who have had to be relocated due to their apartment units being damaged in the fire. The majority of relocated residents have been transferred to a hotel for which we are covering the expenses; some residents opted to stay with family or friends. All relocated residents will be placed in an alternate Tulsa Housing Authority property within the next two weeks.
All of the residents requiring relocation were given gift cards from American Red Cross to assist with their immediate needs. We will cover the reasonable cost of replacing the residents’ belongings as well as any expenses incurred in the relocation process. Our Social Services team is working with John 3:16 Mission and the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma to provide warm meals and snacks to relocated residents; our team is also working with residents individually to ensure access to any medications they require. Mental health resources will also be made available for residents in need.
Ongoing support will be provided to the impacted residents. It’s times like these that reveal the bravery of our first responders and the immense generosity of our community partners who are committed to coming alongside our residents when they need it the most.