In other words, does the animal work, provide assistance, perform tasks or services for the benefit of a person with a disability, or provide emotional support that alleviates one or more of the identified symptoms or effects of a person's existing disability?"

I've suggested many options to help with paying the credit cards back including taking out a loan on his employer 401k which is at a much more favorable rate and would alleviate some of that pressure.  

Now, if we told him that the cashflow we get back would be going towards housing my in-laws that may alleviate some of that.

In what ways does having the pet alleviate the symptoms of the tenant’ specific disability?

If yes, it will be harder to get the loan.You can alleviate the DTI by getting a Multifamily, with rental income that will off-set the monthly payments.

In addition, because real estate is local, you can alleviate some of the economic disparity from community to community.

That would certainly alleviate a lot of your risk.Notification of all parties is required but that doesn't necessarily have to be in the contract.  

I was hoping that he'd read books with me to alleviate the uncertainty, but he's not ready.

Using a rental agent doesn't alleviate the need to know your business, and if you haven't set rental criteria then you should do this right away so the agent can be aware. 

investor loans require 10 to 20% down... and that's of the 100k... so the fact you have a first and second does not alleviate the equity requirement.. so NO that won't work...