Contact your local city or county government office to find out if you live in a rent-controlled area.

Rezoning will likely need to go before the zoning commission so you should reach out to the government offices in your area.

If you feel the government will handle this responsibly and can handle the funds better please itemize your taxes and claim no deductions, pay what you feel is your share. 

There is no other leveraged investment the government is going to subsidize for you. 

I graduated from college in 2017 and have been working as a purchasing manager at a nonprofit that deals with government military contracts.

Who has had success in working with local governments on this, and what sort of techniques and tactics worked? 

Find out if those seven tenants have stopped paying their rent, using Covid and the government's Eviction Moratoriums, to live rent-free at Landlord's expense.

Typically on an FHA/ government loan (coming from my experience with my personal residence) the appraiser is let into the house by the agent in order to conduct the appraisal “independently” before closing.

Part of the problem is that there is a massive shortage of good contractors and to much cost and regulations from the government in many markets that are most tight on housing.

This is governed by local (state) law.