I'd be looking in the meantime for a place, but I agree, if you are in the US there are laws. Fair housing acts, etc. Call you city's housing authority and see how they can help you. I'd also call welfare deptmartment or whatever it is called there, they maybe able to help you with vouchers for down payments on apartments.

There are things out there, it's just a matter of looking for them. Make some calls, the worst someone is going to say is no, but you might just find something.