I also understand that the Housing Authority must first approve this arrangement.So I'd double check with the local Housing Authority in the county where your property is located to make sure they would approve of your specific arrangement. 

That is exactly what i was contemplating was as well.

Leg work could include bookkeeping, scouting properties, doing market analysis, maintenance arrangements, managing contractors at the rehabs, deliveries etc All of these are things that can be taught and take a lot of time.

You still do a deposit accounting and repairs...I'm not sure what you'd have to do in your state regarding possessions, but you may want to give some notice interval for him to arrange for storage.

How should we arrange the meeting at a Starbucks?

^^^  Subject to the existing financing is more complicated than conventional financing arrangements.  

Should I just call local investors and see if anyone is interested in this sort of arrangement?

Essentially a borrow from yourself, and then pay yourself interest arrangement.

From the way I am reading your reply, even when you have students/tenants in place, you will arrange for showings?

Contemplating doing the same shortly.