Squatters Occupy Units at Sydney Social Housing Complex

Tenants at a Redfern social housing building have reported repeated break-ins by squatters who occupy empty units and common areas. Residents say the intruders leave syringes in hallways and urinate in stairwells, prompting multiple calls to police.

The apartment block is operated by St George Community Housing, which received almost $44 million from the NSW government last financial year. A tenant who has lived in the building for two and a half years said police have removed squatters several times, yet new occupants return.

The front security door lock is broken, allowing anyone to enter. In April, a squatter set up living quarters inside a storage room with bedding and personal items; the space had only two small air vents. Another common area was used for sleeping and drug use.

When reporters visited again in May, police had cleared both spaces and the housing provider had boarded them up. Two additional squatters were observed on the grounds, and one unit was boarded after a squatter entered while the tenant was hospitalized.

NSW stated that responsibility for repairs and safety rests with the housing provider. A spokesman said incidents of unauthorized occupants are managed by the organization contracted to run the property. The NSW government funds a $6.6 billion program for homelessness and social housing.

As of April, 69,051 people were on the social housing waiting list, with waits of two to five years for a one-bedroom unit in inner Sydney. The number of people recorded sleeping rough rose 5 percent over the past year to 2,308. A spokeswoman for St George Community Housing said the site has a long and complex history and that staff are working with residents and police within legal limits.

The housing minister said managing the issue requires collaboration and sensitivity because many people facing housing instability also deal with mental health or substance issues.