“If you’ve never seen anyone in your life succeed through education or legal work, why would you believe that path is possible for you?” Riley said. “Poverty is a cycle, and crime can feel like a rational response to it.”

If you have to settle for a low-quality yet pricey apartment, well … there’s not much you can do about it in this housing market. What you can do, though, is take the initiative to advocate for yourself and know your worth.