Some people don't have to have a purchased home to feel secure. I know many people who rent their entire lives. I haven't lived in my own home for most of my adult life and find it sad when I have to worry about repairs instead of calling the manager to have the maintenance staff come fix it. I'd love to live in a place where they did the repairs and outdoor work. But I wouldn't like living on top of others again, sharing walls and floors and sounds.
Also, many people hire someone to do the outside work for them all the time. We did that in the last town we lived in. Hubby was working and we could afford to pay a lawn care guy. It wasn't much, believe you me, he could have charged double the amount but he just wanted to be a good person and make enough money. Seriously, he only charged us $30 to mow a 100'X150' lot with our house, one storage building, and some outdoor play equipment.
I assume she sold the house and has been supporting the family on that money and it's gone now. I feel bad about that, she won't have anything if he dies unless he has wonderful life insurance.
My dad had been raised moving around a bit. My mom was in the same childhood home her entire life. So when they got married he didn't want to buy anything. One day she told he it was time for him to make a choice. Either find their family a home or she was moving out. He realized she was right and they found a small modest home in OKC. They raised us there and lived there until they were both gone. It sold after that and I've driven by a few times.
I think that people with different aspects like this have major issues. It's very hard to get them on the same level and get them to move towards any long term goals that please both of them.
I think she's going to have to pretty much go buy a house on her own and tell him if he wants to move in here's his part of the finances that he has to provide and then he can keep the rest of his earnings to do with as he pleases.
She needs to provide for her family and he isn't going to be much part of that. She needs to take a stand.
But if she loves him and is okay with renting, it is stable living for many many people, then she needs to adjust her thinking and be glad instead of regretting the loss of her home.