An unusual ad appeared on craigslist just before 10 p.m. Tuesday, in the South Bay/Housing/Room share/wanted category.
“$200 SHOWER FOR RENT EVERY MORNING FOR 30MIN (san jose downtown)
“Hi i need a Restroom every morning for 30min as I sleep in the car at night so i can afford 150-200$ per month if this works please give me reply as soon as possible.”
This somewhat heartbreaking appeal caused a small stir on Twitter, where some homeless advocates noticed the cry.
“When I saw it I thought ‘That’s sad, but there are other options,’” said Jennifer Loving of nonprofit advocacy group Destination: Home.
But she noted that gym memberships run a fraction of the quoted price, and said she knows plenty of people who do just that to have a secure and legitimate place to freshen up.
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“It could be a newbie,” Loving said.
Or could it be a hoax? Attempts to reach the poster garnered a single short reply.
“Am sorry,” wrote the poster, identified through the online classified site only as craigslist5974379607, “I don’t wanna expose myself.”