Santa Barbara is one of the most expensive real estate markets in the nation.
Much of California is absolutely choking on empty homes and apartments however. This lady should leave Santa Barbara and consider Fresno.
Try moving. There are plenty of places in this country where she can find work and only pay 25-40% of her income towards rent. Back in the “good old” days people knew the reality of moving to find work instead of this retarded mentality of thinking they can just stay there and glean sympathy so someone else can support them.
Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee are few that easily come to mind.
I bet home and condo owners there pay a hefty amount of property taxes as well not helping their cause. Maybe obtaining a small affordable mobile home in another location is an option to consider.
Perhaps Bakersfield is more appropriate