All can be alleviated, at least somewhat by having a nice cushion in.

Ps: Also look into hiring a property manager so you can alleviate that headache and focus on that next investment.

One of the things that could help alleviate some of the problems for single people, seniors, etc. are ADUs and they make it so difficult. 

However I do want to do my best to alleviate his concerns. 

@Chris Springer While you might be alleviating some tax liability somehow (although I'd imagine a city signing off on this would only do so with a tax reassessment which would defeat the purpose) I would say that the appraised VALUE would be much less as one duplex as opposed to two SFRs in the majority of scenarios.  

That alleviated my concern about a failing unit while protecting my wallet from an unnecessary capital expenditure. 

Second, your solution, namely, Section 8 or rental assistance, is one of the best ways to alleviate homelessness, and does so far better than rent control over time because it addresses the legit. needs of both sides.   

And to alleviate my reliance on just one source of income.   

But Reno being only 35 minutes from our house is the route I wanted to take for our first investment to alleviate some of the "first time jitters" and being able to keep things hands on.

I love to help other Real Estate Investors with their professional books (Or, at least alleviate some of their stress when it comes to their books).