Seems like we're in similar predicaments. Finding a home is really a very complicated affair (especially when you're an entirely destitute immigrant with zero family support in the given country as I am).
I've lived--everywhere. People's couches, boarding homes, rented rooms, etc. Just never my own place. That's my only ambition in life--to have a place to call *mine* and not be sleeping on somebody's couch, or some landlord's spare bedroom, or at the mercy of my emotionally/(formerly physically)/financially abusive mother (which is where I am now).
I just need to convince myself that life is somehow worth it until I finish my schooling (was forced into pursuing it, dropped out in protest, re-entered under my own terms--a revolution of sorts, if you may) and hopefully my degree will entitle me to something a bit more decent than the hand I'm dealing with atm (not counting on it, but one can at least hope, n'est-ces pa?)
Hoping you find similar resolution to your housing worries in the (hopefully near rather than distant) future, too. There are some places which do housing, though the criteria for qualification differs (I qualified for none). Failing that, rent a room or stay at a boarding house (certainly unpalatable, but better than a shelter). That's what I did. It was very triggering to have so much anxiety and I was a HUGE mess during that horrible interim, but I am slowly on a quest for stability and wish you much the same. Gotta cut off the toxic ties, though--I am about to do that with my mother soon, hopefully: only reason I haven't is because I'm not yet 24 and FAFSA wants parent tax info (even when not supporting you) to give you aid barring extenuating circumstances, which are at the school's discretion--and they decided mine weren't. I suppose they wanted a Greek tragedy of some sort.
It also doesn't help that I'm biologically female (something I've never wanted, but have to deal with nonetheless). For some reason, most places don't want girls. I think I know why (most homeless women are prostitutes--I am one of the rare exceptions to that stereotype). They also don't want young people or college students (I don't blame them and sympathize with them thoroughly, but again, I am an exception). Thus, most places don't care for me at all, which explains my history of under-the-table renting and boarding room or living room stays.
