“We are stealing the future, selling it in the present, and calling it GDP”-Paul HawkenCalifornian civil rights activist, environmentalist, businessman and author.

@Josh Richter  I'm in the county next to you and here's the procedure from my local Housing Authority:

Until you officially take ownership you have no authority to offer any changes.You need to spend time studying your state landlord tenant regulations.

Often times, Tenants are upset because they think you are holding out on them, but if you assure them that you have done everything within your abilities, they can't fault you for that.Alternatively, you may consider bringing them a space heater, or authorize them to purchase a space heater to get by for the weekend. 

But honestly, this sounds very very convoluted to me.The most important question I have is who has decision authority?

Here is a good handbook to go over also. https://multco.us/file/9038/download You are going to be answerable to the Fair Housing Authority to most extent, but will have some freedom, but you are a landlord, take money, not just a roommate.

Did you call or did you send a questionnaire that was accompanied by a signed authorization from the prospective tenant to disclose info? 

https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/forget-br...The search bar on this website is terrible, and doesn't make finding things easy - I literally put in the author and BARRRR and it still couldn't find what I was looking for --- I googled the same thing, and it was 2nd on the list.This may be what you were talking about, if not, still good info. 

And I get the tenant applicant to sign an authorization form that allows me to contact the landlords.

After that, they should check with their local Housing Authority to see what programs they might qualify for.