When you're talking about financial institutions that no longer use common sense with income verifications, you're seeing banks, etc. that are not in business to be in business. They're doing no favors for customers they're there to serve. But they're not the only finance sources in town.
I don't know about the physical and cognitive condition of the lady needing housing. But when you get into your mid 80's, you need to be taking the end stage of life into consideration. And for many, that means moving into an assisted living facility that has food provided, transportation to functions and an active social life for others at your same point in life. Such facilities have social workers that deal with the same issues all the time. And if assisted living is too expensive in the D.C. metro area, they'll be much cheaper 50-75 miles into the countryside.