Several months ago I was driving west out of Detroit on the highway. Had to take a leak so I pulled off at the government funded rest area. It was about 11 PM in the evening when I pulled in. 

The parking lot was packed, only three or four spaces were available by the entrance out of maybe 100-120 spots. People were parked there sleeping in their cars. 

Being the Midwest we don't have a great culture of car camping/van life like in the west. Out there people typically would spread out on residential or commercial streets or in the parking lots of big box stores. 

So I guess you could say the public toilet sorta played a roll in this modern day hooverville thing I came across.  

 crazy