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Oregon Housing and Community Services

Roles and responsibilities for affordable rental housing properties

Who's responsible for what in affordable rental housing properties?

It takes all of us doing our part to help make an affordable housing property and the surrounding area thrive.

Choose from the roles involved to learn more about each one's responsibilities.

Property manager

I help oversee the day-to-day operations at the property and help address tenant needs in the moment.

Resident services and/or 211

I help connect tenants to resources outside of housing so they can have the tools they need to thrive.

Local government

I provide local services including law enforcement to help my community thrive.

Public Funder (i.e. OHCS)

  • Monitors financial health of property and helps property owner or manager get back on track if issues arise. (i.e. property improvement plans)
  • Inspect the property every one to three years to ensure meets health and safety standards
  • Review property files every one to three years to ensure things like lease agreements, rents, and other factors are in compliance with state and federal housing finance law.
  • Funnel any property complaints back to property owner and manager to address
  • Help steward funds and financials of the property for the affordability period
All Roles

Property owner

  • Approve major capital improvement
  • Address complaints or concerns with property management
  • Meet the financial obligations such as paying the mortgage, insurance, and property tax
  • Ultimately responsible for what happens at the property and ensuring livability for tenants
  • Work with surrounding community such as neighbors, local government, and more to address issues and help property thrive (with property manager and resident services)
All Roles

Tenant

  • Takes care of home
  • Keeps home clean, sanitary, and free from damage
  • Good neighbor
  • Pays rent on time
  • Ensure smoke alarms are working
  • Maintain any appliances in the unit
  • Follow guidelines and takes care of shared community spaces with other tenants
  • Dispose of garbage
  • Raise any issues and needs to property management
All Roles

Property manager

  • Find and screen tenants
  • Collect rent and security deposit and conduct daily financial operations
  • Regular maintenance and repairs
  • Communicate with tenants
  • Address tenant complaints and handle daily questions or requests
  • Conduct regular inspections
  • Process any evictions
  • Prepare and enforce lease agreement
  • Helps manage the budget
  • Prepare vacant units
  • Market the property to potential tenants
  • Work with on-site resident services
All Roles

Resident services and/or 211

  • Connect tenants to resources such as food, transportation, job opportunities, counseling, and more
  • Help tenants approach on-site property management about questions or concerns
  • Additional support for tenants to help them reach their full potential
  • Helps with eviction prevention
  • Connect tenants to legal services and aid
  • 211 can connect tenants to various services such as food assistance, transportation, crisis hotlines, health care support, rent and utility assistance, and legal and public safety help
All Roles

Local government

  • Address immediate safety issues
  • Investigate and solve crimes
  • Enforce the law throughout the city
  • Answer calls for service and help
  • Build relationship with local neighborhood and work together to fight crime
  • Fire and police protection
  • Streets and street maintenance
  • Sewer and water treatment and collection systems
  • Building permit activities
  • Libraries
  • Parks and recreation activities
  • Local social services
All Roles