How can you rent an apartment if you literally have no one to co-sign for you, and you don't have any credit?

my boyfriend is trying to get an apartment. No one will co-sign for him. He just got a credit card a month ago so he has no credit established. Everyone is saying that if he wants a house, apartment, anything, he must have a co-signer. I find it hard to believe that every person in this world has had a co-signer for any and all purchases they may have needed one.