Property managers have always worn many hats, but the pandemic took things to a new level. A few months after Chicagoland began sheltering in place, the on-site staff from property management firm and Taylor Johnson client RMK Management Corp., found themselves serving as “therapists” to apartment residents, many of whom felt isolated, frustrated and anxious. Knowing RMK’s on-site teams likely weren’t alone in learning how to juggle daily duties like collecting rent, maintenance and completing reports with new-found responsibilities like helping residents through personal and traumatic situations, we pitched veteran writer Robyn Friedman at Multi-Housing News on the evolving role of property managers during COVID-19 and the steps RMK took to reward its staff who have served as essential workers over the past year.

RMK property management staff at The Churchill, an apartment community in downtown Minneapolis, distributed Valentine’s Day gifts as one of the ways they have tried to boost spirits and provide emotional support to residents during the pandemic.