You might not be able to afford a condo in San Francisco’s tech-inflated real estate bubble, but what about a sewer, mailbox, or bus stop? Photographer Scot Hampton created satirical For Rent signs that show just how ridiculous the rental market in the city is.
Rent out a garden penthouse studio (also known as a street side planter) for just $7350! It’s light and airy—and exposed to the elements. A basement one-bedroom is cheaper at $3500 and it has “arched interiors” but you’ll have to live like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Requires the use of a ladder for entry.
The photo essay is a commentary about gentrification as much as it is about homelessness and the need to adapt urban space into a livable environment. While the tech industry calls the homeless “degenerates,” the population living on the streets of the city is increasing. It’s only too easy to imagine people trying to make homes in the spots Hampton shoots.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- How Far Trump Would Go
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- Saving Seconds Is Better Than Hours
- Why Your Breakfast Should Start with a Vegetable
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Ryan Gosling
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com