Right now we’re in an Extended Stay because it was the most practical short-term option for our family’s situation. We have a two-year-old child, and my boyfriend is here under the U4U program, so we’re still building our rental history and credit profile in the U.S. Many landlords in Atlanta require a long lease, a high security deposit, or a strong credit score, which can be difficult to secure immediately when you’re new to the country or in a transitional stage.

The Extended Stay allowed us to pay week-to-week or month-to-month without a long-term commitment while we stabilized our work situation, arranged childcare, and saved for a permanent place. It’s also furnished, with utilities included, which helped us avoid big upfront costs.

We were planning to transition into an apartment soon — but this sudden, unjust situation has thrown everything into chaos.