Be empathetic if you want to keep them.P.S. - I love the Portland area...

The most insightful comments in this thread that I have read thus far was what @Jeff Cagle stated when he wrote, “a system produces what it incentivizes.”As a social worker who has probably had more training in social programs and understanding the mindset of people in poverty or who live in C-class properties than the majority of people on this thread, I am understanding and empathetic to people’s situations and their conditioning and training from childhood.

We need to be empathetic as landlords, but tenants need to take ownership of their situations as well and be responsible with their money to be able to weather some setbacks.  

I'm very clear (but empathetic) with my tenants.

I've given my renters some basic instructions in a kind, empathetic, but firm letter:1.

I think it's important for Landlords to be empathetic and flexible, but don't give away the farm.

It's nothing to be ashamed of - lots of people find they don't have the stomach for self-managing; sometimes you have to make decisions that are difficult for the empathetic part of you but are necessary for your own self-survival.

I started off being entirely too trusting, forgiving, and empathetic.

The amenities may be basic but the service should be class-A.have a worldview that is empathetic to poor people- ie they don't believe that poor people are poor because they make bad life choices; actually RESPECT THEIR (D-neighborhood) TENANTSdoesn't have the unrealistic expectation that low credit score tenants will respond to incentives designed for tenants with a credit score to protect and sets payment policies to promote desired tenant payment behaviors for low credit score tenantsprefers to achieve goals by eliciting cooperation instead of the exercise of power;communicates clearly and directly (even on 'awkward' topics like money and complaints about 'peculiarities')likes to solve problemsHaving said all that, I would still recommend B neighborhoods if you can afford it because of appreciation (and as @Erik Whiting said, exit strategy) .

You have to be very empathetic and professional on the calls, and offer to help first and foremost.