How Federal AI Policy Could Shape Multifamily Housing

In a recent episode of Entrata’s Resident Experts series, Entrata’s Industry Principal, Virginia Love, sat down with Kevin Donnelly, Executive Director and Chief Advocacy Officer of the Real Estate Technology and Transformation Center. Over the course of their conversation the pair unpacked the federal government’s new Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan. Released by the White House in July 2025, which outlines how the U.S. plans to lead in artificial intelligence.

Kevin’s deep background in public policy and housing technology gives him a unique lens on how this national plan might ripple through multifamily housing, property operations, and resident experience.

From Capitol Hill to Real Estate Tech

Kevin began his career in Washington, D.C., working his way up on Capitol Hill before landing in the world of real estate policy. His early work at the National Association of Realtors introduced him to technology policy, tackling issues like broadband access and net neutrality. Later, at the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), he helped shape industry conversations about intelligent buildings, risk management, and innovation.

Now at the Real Estate Tech and Transformation Center, Kevin focuses on connecting policymakers, operators, and tech providers to ensure housing policy keeps pace with technological change.

What the AI Action Plan Means for Housing

The federal AI plan doesn’t target real estate directly, but Kevin believes it will still have an impact. Its focus on deregulation, infrastructure investment, and national competitiveness could set the stage for stronger tech innovation across industries, including multifamily housing.

He explained that while the plan’s big themes—energy, data centers, and security—may seem distant from apartment operations, they’re all connected. “If we’re building the digital and physical infrastructure to support AI, that affects communities, jobs, and ultimately housing demand,” Kevin said.

The Industry’s Role in AI Policy

Kevin shared that NMHC and its technology center have been actively engaging with policymakers, with their main focus being education. “Most policymakers aren’t technologists,” he noted. “We want them to understand how AI is already improving operations and resident experiences before they start regulating it.”

The industry has also been pushing back on fragmented state-level AI laws. According to Kevin, 50 different regulatory frameworks would slow innovation and confuse operators. Instead, NMHC advocates for consistent national standards, similar to how housing laws already function across states.

Where AI Is Already Making a Difference

When asked how AI is showing up in multifamily today, Kevin pointed to on-site efficiency. Predictive maintenance, sustainability tools like HVAC monitoring, and leak detection are making a measurable difference.

On the resident side, AI is smoothing communication and helping staff focus on human relationships. “AI takes care of the repetitive work,” Kevin said, “so teams can focus on creating great resident experiences.”

Virginia agreed, noting that the key is human oversight and clear communication. Automation only works well when it supports, not replaces, the people running the property.

Balancing Innovation and Responsibility

The conversation turned to AI ethics and regulation. Kevin contrasted the previous administration’s focus on innovation and security with the earlier Biden administration’s emphasis on consumer protection. He explained that while the new plan doesn’t introduce new housing-specific rules, existing laws already offer strong guardrails like Fair Housing and Fair Credit Reporting requirements.

Still, operators want to use AI responsibly. NMHC is developing an industry framework to guide how AI should be deployed transparently and ethically, reinforcing the industry’s “resident-first” approach.

Preparing for What’s Next

Looking ahead, Kevin encouraged operators to get involved in advocacy and education. He urged leaders to “show up”, to participate in policy discussions, learn the basics of AI, and build internal strategies for how to adopt it thoughtfully.

He also emphasized collaboration, by saying “It’s more powerful when someone from a policymaker’s own community shares how these technologies improve housing access and operations.”

Virginia closed the conversation by noting that this kind of dialogue helps bridge the gap between policy and practice. Understanding what’s happening in Washington helps operators prepare for changes that could shape their businesses for years to come.