Welcome to TCS. I have lived in a homeless shelter and know what you are going through.I live in a homeless shelter and there is a business near that takes in stray cats and there is one that particularly takes to me that the owner named Bela, (heck of a name for a female but she is all black) and while I am petting her she gives me those little bites, so maybe she recognizes that I am a stray just like her.
Bela is a wonderful name for an all black cat, it means beautiful. Yes, I am sure she knows that the two of you have a lot in common. Keep giving her your love and attention, and hopefully the two of you can find a place together.