Most landlords do prefer two incomes for a two bedroom home.   A sole parent with just one income (and also 2 children who may damage the property), is just too risky for most landlords.  You could lose your job and there's no back up income. The main reason is that landlords just don't want the responsibility of children, and possibly evicting people with young children so they just don't take the rental applications.  I say this as a single parent myself (and I am also a landlord), so I see both sides.  

Unfortunately being normal or 'ordinary' doesn't you noticed or rewarded financially.  You will sit below the radar and not be 'successful' (according to society's definition of success which is money and/or fame).  It's all about money in our society and many people will do whatever they can to be noticed and get cash.  There are 8 billion people in the world and some people think they are important and deserve more than others