Regulations are going to vary by city, state, county, etc.

Tenant moved his personal items (small packages) at 1AM caught by the camera - $250 fine for failure to adhere to the buildings rules and regulations.3.

Not sure of taxes and regulations.

., slumlords would normally not participate in government-subsidized programs such as Section 8, due to the requirements to report income and keep properties well-maintained

Neither the US borders nor the borders of the countries with outbreaks.I do advocate the US government funding research into cures and preventatives.  

Just as the government has national security secrets and such are limited on a need to know basis, there are areas of banking and lending that are off limits to those not having an operational need to know.

I met a real estate agent here in New York that told me she got her down payment for free from the government for her first place.

The simple reason is cities and counties need money to pay for fire, police, government, etc.

Etc, etc.Urban homesteading ended up failing because governments got greedy.  

The government also offers pretty good job security for many people, so as you said unemployment is relatively low.