Affordable housing in Reno: What residents and records reveal about FPI Management

This Is Reno’s Kristen Hackbarth and Bob Conrad unpack a year-long investigation into FPI Management, a national property management firm overseeing multiple affordable and senior housing complexes in Reno. Drawing from public records, resident interviews, court records and city council discussions, this podcast examines recurring maintenance problems, code violations and allegations of tenant intimidation. The conversation also covers the city of Reno’s response, including potential legal and regulatory actions.

How it began

We open with how routine coverage of Reno City Council meetings led us to notice repeated complaints tied to affordable Vintage Housing projects. These properties shared a common manager: FPI Management. What began as a single housing story expanded into a year-long investigation involving site visits, resident interviews and extensive public records requests.

Conditions inside FPI-managed properties

We discuss on-the-ground observations at Vintage Housing properties, including broken doors, deteriorating materials, faulty flooring, unreliable HVAC systems and long delays in repairs. Residents — many of them seniors — reported extended periods without heat, reliance on space heaters, sanitation issues and safety concerns related to snow removal, garbage buildup and pests.

Limited penalties

Reno’s code enforcement process allows landlords time to address issues before inspections occur. Documentation showed repeat violations and minimal fines, often capped at a few hundred dollars. City officials acknowledged publicly that these penalties appear to have little impact on a large corporate property manager.

Tenant retaliation and legal disputes

Several tenants alleged they were threatened with eviction after raising complaints. One case involving a senior resident drew community support and ended with a judge dismissing the eviction attempt. Fear of retaliation may discourage vulnerable tenants from reporting problems.

National lawsuits

Beyond Reno, FPI Management has faced lawsuits and investigations in multiple states, including allegations related to misleading marketing, pricing practices and leasing policies. These issues mirror complaints seen locally, suggesting systemic problems rather than isolated incidents.

Next steps

A recent city council meeting featured strong statements from elected officials, including Mayor Hillary Schieve and council member Naomi Duerr, who said they will contact Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and explore options such as revoking business licenses. We talk about whether these discussions will lead to concrete enforcement or policy changes.

We conclude by discussing the disconnect between celebrating new affordable housing developments and ensuring long-term, livable conditions for residents. Without stronger oversight and incentives, problems tied to corporate property management may continue across Nevada.

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This summary was generated with the assistance of AI and edited by us.