This influx of workers will naturally drive demand for housing, retail, and other services in the surrounding areas, especially in smaller towns and cities that haven't seen major growth in decades.

There is some additional information that wasn't mentioned in your post above which sheds a different light on the situation.  1.

On paper, it looked brilliant..cheap money, quick turnaround, and a profit projection that made his eyes light up.It taught me that the real risk isn’t just the cost of capital, it’s the predictabilty of your exit strategy.

Ask your contractor to walk the property with you if they're available during the showing, or at least send them the photos and information that you received from the wholesaler to get their opinion.In Pittsburgh a light or cosmetic renovation is about $20k, medium is $50k, and a full gut is $100k.

And on top of not disclosing the true nature of the transactions, the borrowers were unknowingly entered into 3rd party transactions, without knowledge, consent, or recourse.

Also, what's the nature of your business? 

There's also free services for tenants to pay their rent online which include some light accounting features.

Fixing a leaky toilet, replacing a broken light fixture, etc. can create good will.

Shedding more light on the topic of affordable housing in general... 

Fire pit with string lights is very popular.