There's some public assistance available, but for some things (like housing, sadly), they're not always immediately available, and there can be long waiting lists.
"Average person" might depend on age group. You're probably right about the average 20-something, but as we age, family members die and friends move away or start families of their own. (Though, in this context, you're probably right because it's about people who are pregnant. The average pregnant person probably has at least one person they could ask for help.)