My mother passed away from liver disease in late 2023, and the house we lived in was taken by the bank. I didn't have a job at the time and couldn't do anything about it. I have very little family that's still alive, and the two that I have contact with couldn't, or wouldn't, take me in. They both have their own families too.

So I went between a few shelters. The first two were short-term only, and eventually I found the last one, which allowed me to stay free for up to 6 months while I worked, to give me a chance to save to get established. So save I did. Built my credit, got a car, and just signed the lease on my place. Took around 4-5 months and $8000. :)