the Detroit Housing Authority is special. 

Tax records is what is authorized for bed room count.

THAT is the point of the article you posted thinking it's proof that email doesn't count...The author even explained it IN the article....The emails were forensically traced on the military servers.

Now take the scenario where you are handling everything and have decision authority.  

We have been investing in that area for the last 7 years and I have talked to a lot of UNT student that live even in the Corinth, Lake Dallas, Cross Roads, Little Elm area.UNT housing authority (can't reca the dept name at the moment) is actually on record as renting out local private housing to supplement its dorms...the net effect of that could be considered close to rent control...a situation that we originally considered but backed off after looking at the economic growth around the campus and true demographic we wanted to target.

Reps at the IRS are not authorized to give tax advice, and it can't be relied upon, even when they're trying to be helpful. 

Just remember reading a book you purchased from an author who is an investor might have some great ideas in it but they are selling that book and there is a lot of free information out there. 

From the FHAA Federal Housing Authority:[Landlords are required to accept ESA requests] unless doing so would impose an undue financial and administrative burden or would fundamentally alter the nature of the housing provider's services.

- what is their authority to level assessments on homeowners? 

I may contact the city housing authority and see if I can get anywhere with them.