Thunder, there are a thousand stories like yours and I commend you for pulling up your boot straps when offered a hand and making it work.
But there are also a thousand other stories out there. 3 months late on rent, copper pipes and wires ripped from the walls, appliances, doors, light fixtures, toilet stolen and sold, and non-paid utility bill.
I realize the ecomony is hard right now. I'm helping support 3 older adult children and their families. All it takes is one bad experience and people think twice about lending a hand.
And who gets hurt, good folks like you.