What are you talking about with less than $20,000 for a house? Maybe if the seller expected you to haul it off? I live in a small town and land is $4k/acre unimproved. Cheap homes on tiny lots are starting at $40k and usually need lotsa work.
As for erasing student debt, what made them go to full time college all on debt without any income? What will prevent them from just racking up more student debt? Both me and my wife have advanced degrees and are student debt free. It just took longer but we worked full time and did night school and online classes.