Their credit score must suck.
I was going to speculate that they probably had “Zero” credit since they’d never owned a house before, probably never even owned a car since they’ve spent their entire lives on the public dole, and after finally being evicted from the Peoples House, had to get a mortgage for the first time (until the millions started rolling in).
Of course it’s grossly unfair that we the taxpayers didn’t just GIVE them a house or two, and some going-away cash, isn’t it? /s