1- every place here requires first and last months rent as a security deposit at a minimum. Even I a "cheap" place that's a lot of cash when you don't have a job.
2- credit/background checks make it unlikely that he would ever be approved by a landlord.
True, upfront costs is a huge problem. Credits may be less so, I've rented with literally no credit at all - just came to the US - and I've seen landlords not checking credit at all. Not all of them but some. After all, credit score doesn't guarantee I won't lose my job tomorrow and stop paying. For upfront costs, it is a big hurdle. But staying in most expensive place in the area doesn't make it any better.
1- every place here requires first and last months rent as a security deposit at a minimum. Even I a "cheap" place that's a lot of cash when you don't have a job.
2- credit/background checks make it unlikely that he would ever be approved by a landlord.