Find a market you like and BUY something that will provide decent returns and grow organically.

This isn't typical unless you're running some sort of Non-profit or charity organization. 

Notice, knowledge or a notice or notification received by an organization is effective for a particular transaction from the time it is brought to the attention of the person conducting that transaction, or from the time it would have been brought to his attention if the organization had exercised reasonable diligence.E.

. #5  Get to know the neighborhood police officers, city officials, and social service organizations in your area.

In order to do that I must organize my finances and wondered if anyone had a great excel spreadsheet they can recommend to begin creating and daily & monthly budget with the goal of maximizing my savings to have the funds for a down payment.

This is a very reputable local non-profit that will distribute funds appropriately to different organizations. 

As for gentrification that is a natural process that is a benefit not a negative.If you want to create affordable housing join or contribute to a charity organization don't start a business.

Can you connect me to the organizer of the events?

Be organized, polite but persistent, get a meeting with an examiner and leave with permit in hand.

You can find a way to submeter the utilities or else use RUBS to charge back to the tenants.