MHN Tech Pulse: The State of Multifamily Technology | Kevin Donnelly & Matthew Kaufman

Why It Matters

Understanding the policy‑tech nexus in multifamily housing is crucial for investors and operators, as it determines the pace of AI adoption, cost containment, and the sector’s ability to meet affordable‑housing goals while attracting future capital.

Key Takeaways

• Retsy advocates tech adoption amid policy and affordability pressures.
• Multifamily lagged historically but post‑COVID acceleration drives AI integration.
• Operational costs, labor shortages, and compliance spur tech investments.
• Data privacy and AI regulation risk deterring future real‑estate tech funding.
• AI promises efficiency across leasing, maintenance, and resident experience.

Summary

The inaugural MHN Tech Pulse episode introduces listeners to the evolving intersection of technology and multifamily housing, featuring Kevin Donnelly, the first executive director and chief advocacy officer of Retsy, the real‑estate technology and transformation center. Donnelly outlines Retsy’s mission to reshape the narrative around tech in rental housing, champion advocacy at the federal level, and foster peer‑to‑peer collaboration among industry stakeholders.

He notes that while multifamily historically earned a reputation as a laggard, the past decade—especially the post‑COVID period—has seen a rapid acceleration in tech adoption. Operators are leveraging AI, predictive maintenance, and smart‑home solutions to curb soaring operating expenses, address chronic labor shortages, and meet increasingly sophisticated resident expectations. Policy pressures, from affordable‑housing mandates to emerging AI and broadband regulations, are both catalysts and potential roadblocks for further investment.

Donnelly emphasizes the delicate balance between innovation and regulation, warning that ill‑informed legislation could stifle capital flows into the sector. He cites real‑world examples such as AI‑driven screening tools, fraud‑detection platforms, and EV‑charging infrastructure deployments, while stressing the need for responsible data stewardship and transparent consumer protections.

The conversation signals that multifamily firms must adopt a proactive advocacy stance, integrate technology across the enterprise, and prepare for a regulatory environment that will shape the next wave of investment. Those who navigate these dynamics effectively stand to improve operational efficiency, enhance resident experience, and secure a competitive edge in a tightening capital market.

Original Description

The multifamily industry has undergone tremendous change over the past decade, driven in part by the growth of apartment-oriented technologies.

From AI to access control to smart home devices, there’s no shortage of gadgets and software that can benefit both operators and residents.

Few people in the multifamily industry have a better bird’s eye view of multifamily tech than Kevin Donnelly, executive director and chief advocacy officer of the Real Estate Technology and Transformation Center. In this inaugural episode of MHN Tech Pulse, Donnelly outlines the state of multifamily technology and speculates what the next few years will look like.

“We’re in a period of acceleration, and I don’t really see that slowing down,” Donnelly tells Multi-Housing News Associate Editor Matthew Kaufman. The industry veteran sees technology as key tool in addressing the nation’s housing and affordability crisis, and he views AI in particular as a way to increase efficiency while leading to better renter experiences.

Here are some highlights of the conversation:

(00:58) An overview of RETTC and its goals

(03:05) Donnelly’s background

(06:02) Where the industry stands with tech adoption

(08:23) Operational & economic pressures driving tech investment

(10:46) Policy pressures

(14:06) The role of AI

(21:47) What’s next?

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