I wonder if possibly the apartment security deposit and rent can just become more expensive if you're a bad risk...? I am not sure. I assumed they turned you down but perhaps there are other outcomes that are possible.
Other outcomes are always possible - and perhaps they will not notice the three eviction actions filed under Grayson's name alone (including the one that was filed against Steingberg).
I have never been evicted but years ago I did some volunteer work with landlord-tenant law. The usual advice about seeking housing after evictions was to be honest about the history, explain circumstances before credit checks came through, and be prepared for higher deposits.
Still, Gene might have to lower his standards from the luxury gated community - even though he got into them before.
I would have figured that after three strikes Gene would have been out. but he still found rentals. With five evictions filed against Gene, perhaps he has reason to hope that there will be yet another willing to take the chance - or that he has another name to pull out of the hat. After all, who doesn't get evicted on a regular basis and who doesn't rely on donations to get through perpetual emergencies?