Meet the People Secretly Squatting in Australia's Houses | SBS The Feed

[@arthurwatts1680]

I've experienced homelessness and it sucks. If these folks can stick it out, more power to them but if that spectre ever raises itself again I will go straight to the cliffs and end it. Seeing families in tents along the Brisbane River breaks my heart - the impact of this will be felt for generations.

[@raggedblossom508]

The abandoned property is "unsafe"...? So is homelessness, even more so.

[@itsonlyme112]

What he was getting at is squatting in abandoned homes isn't the answer to solve homelessness or the overall housing crisis.

[@TerminusEst1982]

you don't understand why safety is crucial in structures. It's unsafe, and so is your stupid opinion.

[@Markstubation01]

@@itsonlyme112It’s the short term answer to a problem government is ignoring

[@crash_test_dummy_1]

How is it that every western country suddenly has a housing crisis???

[@LeGronk]

because the prevailing policy has been "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer". it's dereliction of duty by our leadership class.

[@robertchaplin]

It is called immigration.

[@tansta21]

That’s what they want you to think- here in Australia without immigration ori economy goes bust

[@meganm1074]

Because decades ago governments stopped funding public housing construction & because housing policies were adopted that favoured property investors rather than creating housing for everyone.

[@Jschmuck8987]

That’s a very short sighted opinion. Immigration is the reason in combination with the fact that resources and infrastructure are not keeping up with the demands brought on by high immigration. You need more houses but also schools, hospitals, roads, translation services, Centrelink employees, etc.

[@catfission]

A bunch of the properties I’ve seen people squatting in around West End/ inner city Brisbane are heritage listed houses left to fall apart by property owners who want to develop the land but haven’t been granted permission to demolish. This exact situation occurred in the building behind mine and squatters were evicted because the structure had become extremely dangerous and unstable. Even now the home hasn’t been demolished despite being close to collapse. The home was rented out previously but after the property owner devised plans to build a duplex maintenance ceased and tenants were evicted.

[@chlorophyllheart]

Interesting

[@XC-Z-cv8qw]

They're not allowed to demolish heritage-listed buildings. They are allowed to fix it or renovate it while keeping the style intact.

[@susanmartin3762]

I lost my home of 9 years to professional Squatters. I was 61 years old and retired and, looking forward to being able to enjoy not having to work so much. Everything seemed in place... and then my rent was raised, my long-time roommate had given his notice. His rent made my rent. It was my bands slow time... Suddenly... I had no income and only $1500 in my bank account. That was why i placed an ad in Craigslist for a roommate. They answered an ad i placed for roommates. That's his they got in. I asked them to leave with a 30-day notice. They said i had to take them to court and that they weren't leaving. I called the police, and they told me the same thing. They weren't able to help me get them out. This was a "civil matter." The next day, they called the police and said i hit him. She was his "witness." I was handcuffed and taken to jail for "domestic violence." I was released the next day. The Squatters took out a NO CONTACT ORDER ...i never went home again. I was left with the clothes i was arrested in.. my nightgown, my slippers, and my car. I lived in my car for 17 months later i was finally granted housing. My poor landlords were left with the job of taking them to civil court. The Squatters knew everything about because this was how they made a living. By taking away other people's lives. When they came to meet with me to interview them...I wasn't interviewing them. They were interviewing me. Single, older, nice things, beautiful home on a lake. It took 90 days for the cops to be able to "kick down the doors and remove them. They were gone in 89 days. I lost every possession i had acquired in my 61 years of life. My photos. My 2 cats. My father's ashes. Journals and all my musical equipment. I have been an entertainer my entire life. I had thousands and thousands of dollars in guitars and keyboards, sound equipment... I LOST EVERYTHING TO 2 DRUG ADDICTED MONSTERS WHO HAD THE LAW BEHIND THEM! At the age of 62, I started over like we all did when we first moved out of our family home for the first time. This was all done to me with the FULL COOPERATION OF THE POLICE AND THE COURTS AND MY GOVERNOR! In Washington state, you can lose everything you own to anybody who claims they "live there." They DON'T have to be in the lease. They DON'T have to get mail to that address. All they DO need is an invitation to stay for 3 days or more. If she drops her purse on the floor, if he puts a box with just 1 article of clothing, that's considered "property." It's an absolute legal nightmare. My local newspaper didn't want my story. Our 3 major network TV stations didn't care. Our local consumer advocates didn't want to hear me. Nobody cared. I've ALWAYS been a strong, independent woman. This shot me down so far that i didn't recognize myself in the gas station bathrooms where I tried to keep clean and healthy looking. I did learn about all the fabulous resources my tax dollars had been paying for my entire working life. I will never feel pity or compassion for another homeless person, and why, you may say? Because it's their choice to remain that way. I would venture to say that at LEAST 80 % are on drugs, and they can't stay clean to be given temporary housing. And they don't want to follow any rules. I met hundreds of good, honest people who were all just one paycheck away from losing everything they owned. Washington has GREAT RESOURCES! I was given fid and medical care, clothes, and motel vouchers a couple of times, which were such a blessing! I had never gone without bathing every day or doing my hair and makeup. I was on stage my whole life. Needless to say, I didn't want any gigs for a while. My bandmates were so helpful. This started in August 2019. Fall and winter up here can be a little chilly. I LOVED it when it snowed! I wasn't able to buy any perishable foods because i could'nt keep them cold. When it snowed, I had a HUGE REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER right outside my car door!!!😅 I bought milk and yogurt!! Oh, I missed my yogurt!! I'd just stick things in the snow right outside, and I was just as grateful as I could be. I'm sharing my story because nothing has changed in my state regarding protecting people from this happening to them. I want to warn you to please be VERY CAREFUL who you let in your door. One more sad thing. I was never able to talk to any of my friends, my neutral neighbors. All they knew was that one day, i was being taken away in a police car, and then my gorgeous condo became a drug and prostitution house of ill repute. They had NO idea that i didn't know those strangers or why i would and could abandon my precious cats. They must have thought I'd just lost my ever loving mind! I wasn't able to see them to talk to them to tell them the truth. I didn't have EVERY neighbors' phone numbers. We were "summer pool buddies." We didn't visit much in the fall and winter... I heard what many of them thought of me. It broke my heart that they could think i had turned into a drug addicted prostitute!😅.. that was just such nonsense. Those who really knew me knew better. Today, I'm in subsidized housing. I'm 65 with Medicare and my Social Security. I have a small income and a beautiful little "Emotional Support Cat" named Archie. My friend at my home made sure my 2 precious babies were taken to a cat-only no-kill cat rescue called "Purrfect Pals," and they both found nice homes. My story is both a warning and an inspiring tale of a challenge and surviving and a little encouraging tale proving how strong we women really are. I didn't log into KZbin today planning on sharing my story, but the Universe put this video in front of me, and I answered the challenge. I hope this helps somebody or encourages somebody. We are ALL MUCH STRONGER THAN WE THINK. Today, I volunteer at our local mission, and I help women find themselves in a similar situation as mine. I'm a "Housing Navigator." I must say.. I think I'm doing a wonderful job. I've helped to place many women, young and old, with or without kids, to find lovely homes. I survive on food, but I LIVE ON GRATITUDE! Today is a good good day. I learned to be VERY grateful for so many things that I took for granted. Things like a shower and a toilet that i don't have to share with anyone. I'm grateful for heating and air conditioning. Mostly, I'm grateful to my universe and the elements. I don't believe in magic. I believe in the sun and the stars, the water, the tides and the floods, the owls, the Hawks flying, the river running, the wind talking. They're measurments. They tell us how healthy things are. His healthy WE are. Because we and they are the same. That's what I believe in. Blessings to you all. I hope this helps somebody. Blue Skies ☁️ 🌈 Susan

[@amymhchan1584]

Hugs Susan ❤ oxo

[@garryrichardson4572]

Wow that was long.

[@noobouis_2111]

That's terrible. Thanks for sharing your story. Glad things have picked up for you

[@mitchellattwood]

I’m not reading all that Susan

[@suej9329]

Thank you for sharing Susan, frightening to think that could happen to anyone. I’m sorry for what you had to go through but am glad you are starting to getting back on your feet. I’m so relieved to hear your beloved cats found a new home and that you have a new feline friend. Blessings.

[@presntnow]

Help ALL PEOPLE be able to live in secure Accommodation, Better Health Care and conditions. Australian Government NEEDS TO LOOK AFTER IT'S OWN PEOPLE.

[@chlorophyllheart]

That elderly couple that died and left their home abandoned, they really should have had a will, if there's no family then a charity. I thoroughly dislike that an already advantaged property owner got a free house, there are much more in need people.

[@cadsuane]

The 2021 census indicated that 1,043,776 homes were empty. Half would be legitimate, like place is up for sale/rent, awaiting settlement, person in hospital, person travelling, etc... The other half is speculation. These homes should be identified, like via tax, Centrelink, rental bond records, water/electricity usage. If found empty for over 1 year empty, they should be taxed 10% of property value per year or rental value + 10%. Do that and we will no longer have a housing shortage. Australia has a massive record level OVER-supply of property. The greater the rise in prices over wages, the greater the profit, and usually greater the building activity. When prices were falling during the early part of the GFC, building activity also went down.

[@robertchaplin]

A great example here on how to spend other people’s money.

[@bettywillbrowse]

Honestly I'm ok with people doing this especially these days I would do it if I could or was confident to. The only thing I'm not ok with is if afterwards squatters decide to try actually take the ownership of the house

[@rayzsp9623]

Housing is a fundamental human right and should not be treated as a commodity for investment purposes.

[@RhysShine]

Thanks Australian government

[@hahaha9076]

I bought a house with a 90 day settlement contract. Apparently buyer pays for insurance in this state Queensland Australia. Only one insurance company would cover it because it was a high risk of squatters to be empty that long. Luckily, that didn't happen to me. Squatters rights laws are so ancient they should be amended.

[@debranewlan5456]

Ashburton Melbourne had a of public housing flats and it was sold only a small amount updated and used as public housing. Hughesdale had a block of four again it was sold off and I don’t believe any are public housing.

[@chlorophyllheart]

Yeah, that man saying "sometimes" governments make public housing. How vague. The government generally *sells off* public housing to private businesses and then the rent goes up. Ridiculous.

[@ShapezPuller64]

Honestly - power to them. Noone is helping us as low income people, this is a legitimate way to get some breathing room. It's easy to clutch pearls when you benefit from tax cut after tax cut after negative gearing.

[@kkswider899]

Just fucken try to take my house! I will be worst than italian mafia. Beleve me. All these communism , socialism ideas! I was born and lived in one for 23 years. Never again.

[@annam4313]

It is appalling to suggest it to strangers to move into un-occupied homes no matter why they are left empty and for how long.

[@newyorker3766]

I never thought this happened in rural areas. But not only did it hsppen in our new york area, the people started a fire to keep warm and ended up burning the home down.

[@jackreaper2890]

1.41 The guy is honestly complaining about the damage and condition of the house he's squating in? How entitled is that.

[@Grahamisthesword]

Homeowners: leave the property to literally rot for 12 years. Person moves in and tries their best to mend it: Homeowners: 😮😮😮 There is a huge difference between squatters who trash the place and are anti social and people like Percy who try to make the house nice. Plus this owners just live the house empty to rot! At least it’s being lived in! In stead of being left to rot empty!

[@0P9ine]

The sense of entitlement will make marx shake in his grave

[@paradisesunprincess]

Doesn't matter. It's not his house

[@kodiekulp]

I say squat the private club golf courses and any building vacant due to tax. And I would imagine the professor wouldn't want to have people engage with the idea of private property. Because then you realize how bad you're really getting screwed. But I agree that it can be unsafe, extremely unsafe. There was a warehouse fire in Louisiana in the united states. A lot of squatters were living there, and a few died. A good friend of Mine had a friend who passed away in that fire. And it was tragic. Just a bunch of people that were homeless and living in a building. Because there was no heat, they were using fire to stay warm in. That caused the building to burn down. Very sad . living in America and witnessing more of unregulated capitalism and dissolving of worker rights makes me feel their is a cold class war between the Haves and haves not. But If we don't take care of every person in our society, like in America, then why shouldn't people squat?

[@Doviruses.existbaileyonodysee]

*Rent *To me it seems things like rent should be capped based on the income of the area (e.g. 40% of of the main providers wage). So if buying wars keep going silly, the buck doesnt pass. *Ownership *Foreigners shouldnot own property (only able to rent/invest). Dual citisens should have further restrictions then 100% citisens. There should be limits so people like gates cant own rediculous amounts of land. *Rights* I dont think squatters should have rights to take over a vacant infrastructure without consent of proprietor , but shouldnt be forced/fined to moved on when living in their car in a non hazardous location (e.g. beach parking where there is a toilet/shower). *banks* for property/infrastructure, we need a peoples bank 100% australian. And when the gov shuts the country down because of a particle then the payments on morgages need to freeze. *current interest rates on current banks should be reigned in . *infrastructure* ... .

[@curiouscath7629]

At least Percy was clean and tidy

[@kkswider899]

Who cares! Law should be protecting owners. Period!

[@totyaval7699]

That’s crazy imagine someone living in your house when you’re away

[@chlorophyllheart]

It's more for abandoned houses. If someone lives there already, obviously it would be hard for a squatter to get in. Unless you are away for 6months or longer and have no one check up on your house. It is scary that the squatter knew the persons schedule. The owners must be wealthy to travel so frequently. Always have someone check on your house while away.

[@MrProzacmilkshake]

when are you going? asking for a mate

[@mrrecycle7259]

Does anyone know where I can squat and don't say in the bush's 😺👍

[@robertchaplin]

Squatting is simply another form of theft.

[@ayeguyy779]

You spelt private property wrong.

[@cilstr]

So is being a landlord

[@kkswider899]

The worst, because law is protecting them!

[@Lekii-2885]

Squatting should be illegal they should have no rights, it’s up to the government to look after them not other peoples hard earned money they squat in

[@sweetsweet3753]

Squatting should be made illegal, however, if i was a squatter i would make sure i kept the place super clean / mow the lawns / do the garden / and basic handyman work. if the owner caught me i would apologise but ask if i can stay on - pay very minimal rent and continue to look after the place. Reposition myself as a squatter to a house sitter..

[@aerialmanx7584]

Watching from my third squat in the last 12 months. The council are the problem, the owner of my last place didn't want me gone.

[@paradisesunprincess]

What gave you the right to take hard working people's properties?

[@TrueBlueAustralian]

He should do some things to improve the property, will make it better for everyone.

[@nr8813]

That's not what leeches and parasites do.

[@Prieze868]

Power and gas what about

[@erind.9232]

Don't want to work for your own place? Steal someone else's! Disgusting behavior

[@simonc6328]

Yeah you really nailed it there, well done.

[@kkswider899]

Exactly! Give me give me for free

[@davechristian7543]

Well why isnt6 he charged wit trespass like anyone would be when trespassing?

[@liv_laser]

Why aren't people forced to rent out or sell vacant properties? There are thousands of them in greater Brisbane

[@Stapler42]

he's not trespassing he cannot be charged with it

[@kkswider899]

​@@liv_laserwhy are you asking? Is it yours to sell?

[@GNARGNARHEAD]

champions

[@flyingrc2041]

Champion loosers

[@axial1494]

What they are doing is against the law and that is enabled by the lack of enforcement in Australia. Yes they deserve such enforcement cause they are breaking the law... simply cope and aeeth if you don't agree. Learn to code.

[@MacDaddy635]

We should not be encouraging this behaviour

[@k2h2kqeb]

But the property is unsafe and uninsured! Like, I'm all for affordable rent.

[@leapingdeer7880]

Why? Is it because it doesn't benefit the landlord/investor or is it because the landlord/investors think they can be above everyone else

[@Grahamisthesword]

Boo you 🐎🐴

[@ayeguyy779]

Its all free real estate.

[@sararivz668]

@@leapingdeer7880or because the floor could cave in and the mould would be terrible for their lungs?

[@CatherineReynolds-rd2hx]

Homes out west

[@nwgverified]

Hard to blame em

[@Kate-1236xD]

good on them x

[@flyingrc2041]

So taking other people's stuff if good?

[@cilstr]

@@flyingrc2041they’re not taking it. They’re looking after it, while the owner obviously has no use for it.

[@EL20078]

@@cilstr Why did you ask? Thief

[@simonc6328]

​@@flyingrc2041 so hoarding a public good is moral?

[@nr8813]

​@@cilstr"Looking after it". Oh, okay, that's why so many of them trash these houses? Lmao. You people are cooked.

[@kr-pm1xg]

Last time I squatted... I was at an outdoor party down by the lake..and..you know..tummy trouble...

[@libatalklieb5793]

These squatters risk their life. If the owner is a lunatic, something bad might happen to them.

[@r0man767]

Good

[@Ashleigh24910]

How embarrassing

[@kateb2643]

Okay, silver spoon

[@BrettGrady-vf4kx]

Yes, your attitude and lack of awareness really is.