As I take on the role of President for NARPM’s Greater Portland Chapter in 2025, I’m humbled and inspired by the opportunity to guide our community during a pivotal legislative year. This is a critical time for housing providers, and our chapter’s voice will play a vital role in shaping conversations with lawmakers who are determining the future of housing policy in Oregon.
One of our board’s core responsibilities this year is to create a platform where property managers can come together to craft thoughtful and compelling language that conveys the realities and challenges we face. Our voice is unique—we represent mom-and-pop landlords with single-family homes and small investment portfolios, a stark contrast to the institutional investors often associated with housing. These small-scale providers are the backbone of our industry, yet they are increasingly burdened by legislation like FAIR, SB608, and HB2001, which have contributed to the significant loss of single-family rental inventory in recent years.
It’s important to acknowledge that efforts to tip the scales toward tenants have brought some fairness to the industry we’ve never seen before. However, now that we’ve had about four years to see these policies play out, we are in a great position to reevaluate. What has worked? And what is actually reducing the rental inventory we so desperately need? The survival of our industry relies on a balanced approach. Lawmakers must understand that while fairness is critical, burdensome regulations discourage vital investment in housing. To address the housing deficit driving overpricing, we must shift the narrative toward incentives that encourage landlords to invest in housing over alternative options, like stocks.
Beyond advocacy, I’m equally focused on fostering connection and pride within our property management community. Portland is a city with immense potential, and as housing providers, we understand the significance of location better than anyone. Rebranding Portland as a vibrant and desirable place to live is not just about optics—it’s about believing in what we’re selling. By engaging with local efforts to make our city a great place to live, we empower ourselves to market homes with confidence and optimism.
This year’s theme, Community Over Competition, underscores the importance of collaboration. By working together, we can elevate the standard of housing in our city and work to dismantle the stigma surrounding landlords. Housing providers are more than businesspeople—we’re community builders, and our shared goal is to provide quality homes for tenants while contributing to the well-being of our city.
Finally, I’m thrilled to announce that our chosen nonprofit for 2025 is Urban Gleaners, an organization dedicated to reducing food insecurity. Supporting their mission is a tangible way to give back and strengthen our community ties.
As we navigate this critical year together, I look forward to collaborating with all of you to advocate for fair policies, support our city’s growth, and reaffirm our commitment to building a stronger, more united community of housing providers.
Coty Thurman
