Rent an apartment with no US bank account

Getting stressed...

My boyfriend is in America, and wants to rent an apartment. He just went down this weekend, and does not have a US bank set up. They said he needs a SSN, which he can apply for in 10 days and then it takes 2 week to process.

I am still in Canada. What's the best way to get him money to pay rent? They take cheques and money orders, but I assume they need to be in USD. Would I have to get a cheque and mail it to him, or is there a way to send it 'virtually'? He needs it ASAP.


Thanks!

My boyfriend is in America, and wants to rent an apartment. He just went down this weekend, and does not have a US bank set up. They said he needs a SSN, which he can apply for in 10 days and then it takes 2 week to process.

I assume (?) that he has a job in the US and a proper US work status (TN, H-1B, etc). Who is the 'they' who needs him to have a SSN? Usually the prospective landlord, the prospective bank, and the prospective employer will all require a SSN. I think the usual sequence of events would be (1) he stays in some form of temporary housing (inexpensive motel, with friends, company provided housing) until he gets his SSN. (2) he then opens a bank account using the new SSN. (3) you can wire funds to the new bank account if it is urgent; there are also cheaper, but slower, ways of sending funds internationally. (4) he rents an apartment and draws funds from his new account to do so.

Does he have some wherewithal to keep a roof over his head (even temporary) until he gets a SSN--eg credit cards, Canadian bank cards with ATM access, traveler's cheques, etc?