I'm glad that your husband got through. I know it's not exactly what you wanted to hear, but like you said also not the worst news possible. I bet your SA comes through in the next few days now!
We didn't have the actual boarding passes either but had email confirmations of the bookings and sent these. Also sent the passport stamps showing each other's entrance into the other's country :)
I think you need to write everywhere you've resided. It doesn't specify a time frame, so I interpreted that to mean ever.... Also better safe than sorry. See what the others say tho :)
I agree, why ask to provide proof of employement and tax information if there is no minimum...and yes, why do they even ask that?? Maybe there is a reason I'm not seeing right now, but like you said, no sponsor, no go.