DIRECT ACTION AGAINST HOMELESSNESS
by Keith Salter
EMPTY HOUSES SHOULD BE LIVED IN!
This is the original slogan from the housing campaign conducted by Direct Action Against Homelessness (DAAH) throughout the years 1989 to 1993. A row of terraces in Forest Lodge owned by the Hospital – Squatted! Two shops on Broadway owned by local Council – Squatted! Several houses including a disused horse stables and garden courtyard in Glebe – Squatted! Another row of terraces in Darlington owned by the University – Squatted! In sum, DAAH implemented a rolling campaign of squatting actions across Sydney that lasted five years!
These four major squatting actions were enacted to highlight the plight of the homeless and to demonstrate the power of the people. Banners were hung everywhere. Slogans included: Don’t let houses rot: Squat! Housing for all! Squat the lot! And, Empty houses should be lived in! The exclamation marks were there too. Daily meetings were held in a nominated squatted house. People voluntarily assisted one another and with a spirit of kinship and kindness. Squatters doorknocked the neighbourhood to inform the locals of what was happening and why it was happening. Most locals were pretty cool with it. Some squatters barricaded themselves inside their new homes. Cops occasionally slow-drove past to observe the wildlife.
Direct Action Against Homelessness made its point unambiguously with each squatting action. As things progressed from one action to the next, DAAH grew in size and popularity. However, squatting actions that are undertaken for publicity, including for noble causes, rarely succeed as future homes. They just don’t last long enough to be converted into something useful if not wonderful. Each of these four squatting actions ended in police eviction. The duration of each occupation was one week. The point, however, was to highlight the plight of the homeless and to demonstrate what can be done by anyone with brains and gumption. Hence, the housing campaign initiated and conducted by DAAH was a brilliant success.
DIRECT ACTION AGAINST HOMELESSNESS
SQUAT: Row of terraces in Cross St, Forest Lodge | • |
SQUAT: Two adjoining shops on Broadway | • • |
SQUAT: Several adjoining terraces in Catherine St, Glebe | • • • |
SQUAT: Row of terraces in Darlington | • • • • |
Moreover, an additional housing campaign running concurrent to this one, aimed squarely at relieving homelessness presently and immediately was also in play. Mass squats were established and maintained on the quiet, such as, The Gunnery in Woolloomooloo, and The Warehouse in Redfern. The Warehouse had running water, working toilets, and a kitchen with gas hob, sink, and multiple benches for food preparation. Seating for meals was also available. A cosy lounge with two facing three seater couches separated by a long coffee table was also on site. Sleeping areas were separate and personalised. The front entrance to 1 St. Peters Lane was a large grill gate with padlock attached, and a plastic rope hung down from above which, when pulled, rang a bell within the Warehouse. The squatters did not find the Warehouse in any pristine state, they simply worked upon it, restoring it, and improving upon its structure and environment as time passed by. The Warehouse mass squat remains a shining example of what can be, when you work together with others, and you all want something very similar, like a wonderful home.
RIP • The Redfern Warehouse (1989 – 1993) • Long live the squatters!
The author lived in The Warehouse between 1989 and 1991 and participated in each of the squatting actions listed above. Squat the lot!
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