For others, they may be more dependent and want the company, plus food, etc. but are not medically dependent.

My VA loan is tied up in another rental property so that is not even an option (plus can't use it if not owner-occupied).I was out of work for almost a year due to a serious medical condition, so I am not sure if conventional is the way to go.I also don't have a huge amount for down payment ($10,000) since I was out of work.I also own another rental property that has about $50,000 in equity.Question: Should I consider a HELOC or HE Loan for some of the financing?

Duncan, I agree my strategy is not considered mainstream by financial planning types.

Some years back, I had a medical emergency, had an insurance plan that supposedly pays for visits to an emergency room for $50.00.

He is operating as Furniture Medic.

There were some old medical bills, a power bill, a state tax bill I just had no idea about hadn't checked my credit in years. 

Got two more apps this weekend that I had to decline, one had tens of thousands non-medical sent to collections, the other through some sleuthing I discovered had a "zoo" of 6 animals that they had no intention of parting with, so frustrating!

I never base a decision on just the score.....Work History/Income/Why score low/what happened during delinquency...might have been a bump due to divorce/medical/etc...STABILITY is a key factor!...

I wouldn't care too much about an eviction from 1997 and would consider the reason for them filing bankruptcy (especially medical bills)

Financial assistance programs are not unwise to being duped by technicality and will have a clause that identifies such activities as potential fraud, which is usually frowned upon.Perhaps look into Medicare as a possible supplement income for her medical issues.Good luck.