>Based on the history of our conversations, though a lease was not signed, I was led to expect to move in.  I have let my current landlord know that I will be moving, my child is transferring schools and now the new tenet is due in my unit very shortly.  I am essentially left in a place of homelessness.

>I've found their lack of communication and action appalling in general.

>What can I do?

Call a lawyer. This is called promissory estoppel. You made choices any reasonable person would have based on the discussion. You may be able to force them to give you an apartment.