A group of 36 housing trust homes in Camden Park face demolition after a lack of maintenance

Units in an Adelaide housing block have become so rundown its residents face eviction, while other apartments have been abandoned and left to rot.

Residents at a Camden Park housing trust block have expressed their frustration and disappointment after the site has become so rundown it may need to be demolished.

The group of 36 homes includes a number of fire damaged units that have been abandoned for nearly two years – infested with pigeon faeces, rotting walls and exposed structural timber beams.

Seven of the homes have been left empty attracting squatters, with trash heaps littering the courtyard along with graffiti and boarded up windows.

EXCLUSIVE: See inside the unit block so rundown that authorities have given up on fixing it. Adelaide’s housing trust shame exposed in 7NEWS Adelaide at 6pm. #7NEWSpic.twitter.com/Fkeggym6Bc

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) May 20, 2024

The group of 36 homes includes a number of fire damaged units that have been abandoned for nearly two years. Picture: 7NEWS

The courtyard has become a dumping ground. Picture: 7NEWS

As well as being a dumping ground it’s also a haven for squatters. Picture: 7NEWS

The rundown stairwell in the housing trust block. Picture: 7NEWS

The burnt out units have become infested with pigeons. Picture: 7NEWS

One resident who remained anonymous told 7News people not only trash the site but steal materials, costing the taxpayer money.

“They steal the ovens, they smash the basins off the wall, they steal the copper … they just get constantly trashed it’s ridiculous,” he said.

Another resident, Jake Ritche, lives at the complex with his two children and partner. He says all the people living there deserve better.

“It’s not liveable, everything about this place drains you makes you feel horrible,” he said.

Housing Minister Nick Champion said while the government did not want empty, unmaintained housing trusts, the maintenance costs were “more significant than people realised”.

“We need to have a good hard look at all of those apartments, they are dotted around the city, and come up with a plan for their renewal,” he said.

Originally published as A group of 36 housing trust homes in Camden Park face demolition after a lack of maintenance