If housing is a 'right' as you are implying then its a societal responsibility to pay for it - not just one subset of people's responsibility.Farmers and grocers aren't required to take installment payments if someone is having trouble paying,  Neither are doctors and nurses required to provide their services under such terms.   

His company manages nursing homes in MT, WY etc. 

I've seen it used quite a bit by non-tax practitioners (and even practitioners) at various times as an analogy for non-passive income. 

As far as the furnaces go, I’ve nursed old furnaces along for many years beyond their normal lifespan and there won’t be any catastrophic damage if one goes (since you have four in the building the unit with the failed furnace will stay warm enough thet it won’t be an emergency, probably no issue with pipes freezing or it being uninhabitable, and seeing as you’re in San Fran it probably doesn’t get that cold anyway).

Nurses? 

I am extremely motivated and work 10-14 hours a day in neurosurgery as a nurse practitioner while working on my MBA, business and maintain as a Memeber if the Army Reserves and exercIse daIly.

The MTR rental market is still appealing to those coming in town for WSOP, traveling nurses, corporate rentals, people relocating not sure where they want to buy yet, etc.

If it's heavily dependent on one business (i.e. oil worker, traveling nurses, etc), you may be okay depending on if/how that industry is hit during the downturn. 

The population has been growing here year over year over the last decade, it is home to The Ohio State University which has over 50,000 students that live here along with those that visit, and it also holds a diverse range of young professionals and traveling nurses to fill the demand of the multiple business corporations and hospitals stationed here.

The only reason of switching from a STR is if the LTR & the mid term rentals - like traveling nurses etc provide a higher cashflow.