Inside Paris' Illegal Squats

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  • Опубликовано: 28 мар 2021
  • Faced with soaring real estate prices and an increasingly desperate housing crisis in Paris, a squatting collective has been formed to find spaces of residence in buildings that have remained unoccupied for years.
    We followed them as they searched for a new place, occupied it, and used their knowledge of French law to negotiate with the owner and the city's local administration.
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Комментарии • 1,3 тыс.

  • @Hotlooksamerica
    @Hotlooksamerica 3 года назад +2143

    They had a whole ass team planning this operation out like oceans eleven but for homelessness.

    • @Stowneyo
      @Stowneyo 3 года назад +37

      No joke. These people weren’t homeless or poor. Or about to be. They wanted to make a statement which helps with bringing light to the situation. But does very little for the people who actually need it.

    • @schwarzer9523
      @schwarzer9523 3 года назад +12

      Someone may also shoot at you

    • @mrsle7ensdiaryofmadness941
      @mrsle7ensdiaryofmadness941 3 года назад +3

      😂😂😂😂my thought exactly

    • @mkn.567
      @mkn.567 3 года назад +6

      Oceanless 11

    • @zadekeys2194
      @zadekeys2194 3 года назад +8

      If those people put that level of effort into their education & skills for 10years (he said he had been doing this for 10years) they would defiantly not be in this situation. Being born in a city gives you zero rights to live there once you are too old to live with your parents.

  • @ShortbreadDrawings
    @ShortbreadDrawings 3 года назад +608

    This place is really near where I live. Just passed by it today because I was curious and it looks great from the outside! It's now painted pink, it's well maintained and looks "lived in" from what I saw through the windows

    • @rachelpadilla4008
      @rachelpadilla4008 3 года назад +6

      Where is it? I’d like to have a look as well!

    • @ShortbreadDrawings
      @ShortbreadDrawings 3 года назад +32

      @@rachelpadilla4008 18eme arrondissement, Rue Germain Pilon!

    • @JMGEntertainmentify
      @JMGEntertainmentify 3 года назад +7

      Hello Shortbread. I visited your channel randomly. I find your artistic skills very pleasing. I am interested in purchasing your breaking bad artwork if not already sold. Otherwise could you do a special request?

    • @FPSAlann
      @FPSAlann 3 года назад

      Can we get video? Please!!!

    • @JMGEntertainmentify
      @JMGEntertainmentify 3 года назад

      @@ShortbreadDrawings Do you not have laying around? such a shame.

  • @kingkea3451
    @kingkea3451 3 года назад +477

    One thing that stood out to me here is that these guys are working to make the building they stay in presentable. They fix things. They clean things. They repair holes in the walls, floors and ceilings. They make furniture (like the tables they used, the new window fixtures and the bench by the streetside).
    They're productive with what they have.

    • @jazzfeline5970
      @jazzfeline5970 3 года назад +28

      I think that's their key to appeasing the owner of the building. They get a free place to stay, and the owner gets free renovations on what is likely a very old and expensive building to repair.

    • @20yearsago88
      @20yearsago88 3 года назад +10

      Placing posters over holes is not repairing them 😁😁😁

    • @kingkea3451
      @kingkea3451 3 года назад +17

      @@20yearsago88 Yeah, it's not repairing them but it's at least making the place more presentable. And besides, they were repairing a whole bunch of other holes and such

    • @zadekeys2194
      @zadekeys2194 3 года назад +9

      They should use those skills to afford rent in their own place... The main dude has been squatting for 10years... He complains he is poor / paid little, but I can't take someone seriously who thinks that because they were randomly born somewhere, that they are entitled to stay there.... Dilutions at best. They need to wake up & get somewhere in life before they're too old & homeless with low pay & probably no savings or pensions.

    • @kingkea3451
      @kingkea3451 3 года назад +23

      @@zadekeys2194 Paris is the most expensive city to live in. With 15% of the residences empty its *clearly* because people can't afford the outrageous rent prices.
      Even if they turned their ingenuity into a means to make money it would not be enough to be able to rent in Paris.
      Here in NZ we are starting to head down the same route. Just recently it came out that there have been places in Wellington with no heating, missing windows (or rooms without windows) and such that are being rented for triple the cost per person compared to an actual decent rental in Christchurch.
      High rent problems are a thing. This isn't a matter of laziness.

  • @katyamete
    @katyamete 3 года назад +1528

    This was mad interesting. If they're up for it, Vice should make this a series. It would be cool to see their progression.

    • @Pandovesky
      @Pandovesky 3 года назад +11

      I mean it is classified as season 1, episode 1 under the video, so maybe...

    • @TheDoomWizard
      @TheDoomWizard 3 года назад +2

      Agreed

    • @mattmiller6706
      @mattmiller6706 3 года назад +3

      Don’t hear many people use the slang “mad” ... you from fall River massachusetts 😂?

    • @mattmiller6706
      @mattmiller6706 3 года назад +2

      High on the list of my slang vocab lol

    • @wrarmatei
      @wrarmatei 3 года назад +3

      "Progression" suggests that the seriousness of the situation isn't being appreciated, like these squats are temporary...it's affordable housing crisis treadmill...not a cute diy project that is opted-into for kicks.

  • @mrnickwan510
    @mrnickwan510 3 года назад +96

    I once stayed with a friend who lived in a squat in Amsterdam. It was an old factory that had been empty for years. They fixed it up, refused to allow anyone on hard drugs to stay there and even had the support of the mayor. They also had an art collective and would hold free workshops for the local community. Not all squaters are bad people, some are just at difficult times in their lives.
    They didn't have a toilet though so that was pretty rough.

    • @q9c9pilrandagio5
      @q9c9pilrandagio5 2 года назад +3

      ADM? Villa frikens? TramStop?

    • @user-xe5ts7rk3h
      @user-xe5ts7rk3h 5 месяцев назад

      @@q9c9pilrandagio5old ADM most likely, the factories down by NDSM were abandoned for a long time

  • @bossingtonhillforever4267
    @bossingtonhillforever4267 3 года назад +94

    There's people living on the streets, and there are empty houses. So we open the door. Beautifully said.

  • @moshymosh
    @moshymosh 3 года назад +1024

    These people really made that building look nice in a short ass time.

    • @GeorgeKizzle93
      @GeorgeKizzle93 3 года назад +94

      Aye man, you get 20 people with a common goal and a decent work ethic, you'll be surprised with what's possible.

    • @chaoticfirearm
      @chaoticfirearm 3 года назад +52

      Yeah and it was literally rotting away doing fucking nothing lmao. So fucked that these guys get persecuted for just not wanting to sleep on concrete.

    • @karencarpenter5845
      @karencarpenter5845 3 года назад +17

      @@chaoticfirearm we are all fighting corruption, greed,the 1% owning everything, selling land to the highest bidder, which has created unstable living environments for us all.

    • @AbsoluteTiger
      @AbsoluteTiger 3 года назад +12

      This should be human law buildings left to disrepair and neglected should be able to be claimed by free humans

    • @JackYoung28
      @JackYoung28 3 года назад +3

      @@chaoticfirearm they’re being persecuted because they’re breaking the law. But understandably so. On another hand say someone happens to die in one of these abandoned properties because they fell through the floor or something along the line of that. The owner would be liable, and that’s simply just not fair to the land owner. So I can see both sides, I think it’s awful they can’t afford to live in their own cities because the cost is so great, but I can also see why they get persecuted for what they do.

  • @johnnyjoestar7143
    @johnnyjoestar7143 3 года назад +646

    The leader guy is so charismatic, the type of guy who would make anyone feel at ease and always seems like he knows what he's doing

    • @glcmranger421
      @glcmranger421 3 года назад +15

      Johnny Joe, the key word is “seems.”

    • @Sanjovalentine
      @Sanjovalentine 3 года назад +41

      @ghost robles or... like a regular leader. Why are people so quick to scream ‘cult’ at every person with a bit of charisma

    • @EikottXD
      @EikottXD 3 года назад +7

      @ghost robles don't ever apologize for a joke.

    • @sunnyschramm9650
      @sunnyschramm9650 3 года назад +2

      @ghost robles dont excuse for some lame critic

    • @sunnyschramm9650
      @sunnyschramm9650 3 года назад

      @ghost robles the emoji make him feeling that you laugh about him with cynicism - what was totally fine here.

  • @TheModernInvestor
    @TheModernInvestor 3 года назад +1173

    This had SUCH a nice ending, I wish more stuff like this happened

    • @weldinggirl
      @weldinggirl 3 года назад +4

      I know right!!!!

    • @Glue.Ur.Eyelids
      @Glue.Ur.Eyelids 3 года назад +2

      I see you @TheModernInvestor!

    • @theoriginalpeace
      @theoriginalpeace 3 года назад +12

      It definitely helped that vice was there filming, the landlords probably asked who they are and researched them and where like hmmm better not look like complete dixks.
      If so well done vice 👍

    • @FinUgShiet
      @FinUgShiet 3 года назад +4

      In that case, you should organize such activities at your local community! If such operations have been in every big city in the 5M population of Finland, so should in every country, that has such issues with property ownership, homelessness, community spaces etc.

    • @MrNickpress
      @MrNickpress 3 года назад +1

      Automatically skips to end

  • @verysmartultrahuman939
    @verysmartultrahuman939 3 года назад +160

    1:44 "I'm not going to be thrown out of here just over a question of property ownership"
    -French resistance 1943 colorized

    • @johnnyrockets10
      @johnnyrockets10 3 года назад +17

      haha and for full context the 93rd is like 10mins north from there...so thrown out of Paris is a bit dramatic...

  • @shockcityrocker
    @shockcityrocker 3 года назад +34

    That would’ve ended so completely different here in NYC; a building owner would never even fathom the thought of working something out; they’re barely hospitable towards lease holding tenants. And most would rather have a building sit unoccupied with no rent coming in for years than to simply lessen the rent to reasonable levels.

    • @st2udent_650
      @st2udent_650 3 года назад +9

      The economics and reality of New York City housing makes me want to scream and cry.
      The absolute hostility towards people who work minimum and attempt to live there is astounding.

    • @FirelixGaming
      @FirelixGaming 3 года назад +7

      In France owners do it ONLY because the law oblige them too, you cant expulse someone from a house if theyve been there for more than a certain amount of time (thats why they all get theirs story straight saying its been a week when in reality its only been 1 days)

    • @trentonarganbright1871
      @trentonarganbright1871 Месяц назад

      The women should trade sexual favors to live there

  • @tommanserable
    @tommanserable 3 года назад +70

    If you want to break into a building and get away with it ALWAYS wear hi viz jackets and make it look like you're a work party. No one will ever stop you.

    • @EP-qi8ed
      @EP-qi8ed 3 года назад +3

      I know. I thought it would have been smart for them to front as a hired renovation crew with actual uniforms ; )

    • @satriorukito
      @satriorukito 3 года назад

      but it gonna caused another problem

    • @Moco336
      @Moco336 2 года назад

      yeah yeah nah yeah mat, always got the fackin high viz, every fackin day mate cash in hand

  • @scooterholmes1174
    @scooterholmes1174 3 года назад +44

    Let’s talk about why living costs are unbearable in Paris in the first place!

    • @q9c9pilrandagio5
      @q9c9pilrandagio5 2 года назад +8

      capitalism?

    • @alexandredelbois4157
      @alexandredelbois4157 2 года назад

      @@q9c9pilrandagio5 no because in Paris there are those that we French call bobos, they are rich with a lucrative job and they do not want to mix with others

    • @o00gourou00o
      @o00gourou00o 2 года назад

      At 1:46 he doesn't really say "just over a question of property ownership", he says "just because some people do real estate speculation"
      Imo that's a big part of the problem

  • @lalakuma9
    @lalakuma9 3 года назад +88

    Seriously, if anyone is neglectful enough to abandon a building and let it degrade to such a state, they should just let someone else who needs and respects the property live in it. What kind of psycho would not let another person make a good use of their trash? I'm glad that in this case the owner of this building is reasonable.

    • @InkDropFalls
      @InkDropFalls 2 года назад

      Crack Heads and Smack Heads ....Never been to squat in my life that dont have them .....Dont underestimate the amount drugs that taken and sold by squatters ...in fact i dont think ever met a squatter who not either taking and selling drugs ....i knew a lot them

    • @blackcat-mp7kh
      @blackcat-mp7kh 2 года назад

      not everyone is well mannered in someone else's property. these people are really good.

  • @indramami9080
    @indramami9080 3 года назад +309

    Glad it worked out between these guys and the owner of the building. They weren’t looking for trouble, they were looking for stability.

    • @glcmranger421
      @glcmranger421 3 года назад +7

      Exactly how did the squatters’ actions stabilize the owner? Why do you assume the building’s owner was looking for stability?

    • @ricardobarrios4159
      @ricardobarrios4159 3 года назад +28

      @@glcmranger421 The building looks much better.

    • @indramami9080
      @indramami9080 3 года назад +30

      @@glcmranger421 why do u assume I was talking about the owner needing stability ??! He’s not the one that’s homeless! Duhhh. 🤦🏻‍♀️I’m sure the owner was able to see that they weren’t lookin to trash or party in the building instead they wanted to do repairs & make it a livable, safe space so I’m glad all parties involved were able to come to an agreement, as we saw towards the end, that was beneficial to all involved. I’m sure some type of rent fee was included in the contract the owner had them sign.

    • @glcmranger421
      @glcmranger421 3 года назад +2

      @@ricardobarrios4159 I bet it smells better, too. 💩

    • @glcmranger421
      @glcmranger421 3 года назад

      @@indramami9080, Ask a question. Get more assumptions. Thanks, mami. 👍🏽

  • @RosePolloi
    @RosePolloi 3 года назад +57

    i like the idea of the landlord coming in and seeing a big dslr pointed in his face and the guys are just like "yeah, say hi to Vice"

    • @odakyuodakyu6650
      @odakyuodakyu6650 3 года назад +1

      Oi Polloi?

    • @tedcrilly46
      @tedcrilly46 3 года назад +1

      Hello Vice, get your thieving buddies out of my property please.

    • @satriorukito
      @satriorukito 3 года назад

      @@tedcrilly46 ahahaha

  • @mikebeatstsb7030
    @mikebeatstsb7030 3 года назад +169

    Ide like for you guys at vice to try and stick with this group and see how well they get on in future.. Kinda like a regular thing perhaps monthly / bi monthly..?

    • @technic23
      @technic23 3 года назад +4

      It says season 1 episode 1 under the title so it looks like it is a series

    • @Tom78777
      @Tom78777 3 года назад +1

      Don't fall for it. That's how they do it in front of the camera

  • @ellebelle2507
    @ellebelle2507 3 года назад +49

    I lived near a squat in Barcelona and it was lovely. They had Latin American dancing once a week, like a club night, so good! And a bar with antiques out the back.

    • @Alaskan-Armadillo
      @Alaskan-Armadillo 3 года назад +1

      If Spaniards can squat in the America's clearly those of us from 'Latin America' can squat in Spain.

    • @Kat-zi2tb
      @Kat-zi2tb 3 года назад

      @@Alaskan-Armadillo then good luck paying $1000 for a flight

    • @xtnabcn
      @xtnabcn 3 года назад

      Which one? I had a couple in mi barrio!

    • @veneering4128
      @veneering4128 2 года назад

      @@Alaskan-Armadillo 1000% agree

  • @chinitaensudamerica
    @chinitaensudamerica 3 года назад +300

    Me, as a person from Hong Kong: you guys have empty flats to squat?

    • @chrisb1902
      @chrisb1902 3 года назад +15

      All over europe mate, from the nort to the south.

    • @de0509
      @de0509 3 года назад +16

      Check out the reddit sub r/DumpsterDiving too. Its not just empty buildings with people sleeping in the streets. Apparently in the west, theres also food in the trash, with hungry poor people in the streets. Such a calloused world.

    • @chinitaensudamerica
      @chinitaensudamerica 3 года назад +17

      @@de0509thank you, yes I'm aware of that. My comment was a reference to a meme...and also the fact that Hong Kong has super expensive rent and I'm drooling over this as any empty space is a luxury that we don't have in HK...some people continue living with their parents in small flats

    • @n0rmal953
      @n0rmal953 3 года назад +10

      @@chinitaensudamerica well it’s slowly turning into a Hong Kong situation. People with money buy moderate sized appartements and split them into as many flats as possible to make more rent money. Paris is not that big and the building not that high in the majority of the city. People are getting crammed into 9m2 flats while empty abandonned building exists at the same time.
      Big penthouse size flats are bought by rich people for a once of vacation while still not getting rented.

    • @JR-xn6yu
      @JR-xn6yu 3 года назад +4

      Lol your face is so round like a soccer ball

  • @marissa8061
    @marissa8061 3 года назад +377

    These guys are so mindful when it comes to squatting, very smart people here

    • @imazombieee8949
      @imazombieee8949 3 года назад +1

      Yeah when they shut up and kept the lights on i figured they were genius too. Lmao along side w not finding a job. Another example of how smart they are.

    • @HairEEck
      @HairEEck 3 года назад +1

      The vast majority of squatters are like that. They're just rarely showed in a good light by the medias.

    • @HairEEck
      @HairEEck 3 года назад +8

      @@imazombieee8949 it's very hard to find a job in France compared to other countries. They are litteraly saving lives and creating beautiful community centers for everyone.
      The reason they shut up is not to not alert anyone it's to not be kicked out for making too much noise. Big difference. So stop talking out of your ass when you don't know anything about this subject.

    • @avaprod.8622
      @avaprod.8622 3 года назад +1

      @@HairEEck what kind of job is hard to find ?

    • @enegron6987
      @enegron6987 3 года назад +1

      @@avaprod.8622 pick one

  • @Wuqz
    @Wuqz 3 года назад +40

    Squatters can be awful people but these guys are wonderful. They're occupying land that hasn't be touched in years and instead of ruining the place they're actually fixing it up. It's clear they still respect that it is someone's property, even though it's been unused for quite some time.

  • @joebudd7572
    @joebudd7572 3 года назад +274

    Hands down the most reasonable squatters I've ever seen. The ones down my road insist on playing gabba 24/7 and dgaf :(

    • @si_quest
      @si_quest 3 года назад +27

      they're behaving in front of the cameras

    • @danielfulford6135
      @danielfulford6135 3 года назад +20

      @@Kigoz4Life Hate to break it to ya bud but that keyboard warrior life doesn’t translate to reality like you think it does

    • @PresidentialWinner
      @PresidentialWinner 3 года назад +21

      @@si_quest If they are behaving for the camera (likely) that doesn't necessarily mean they don't behave when the cameras are gone. But who knows. Regardless this group is the most benevolent I've ever seen. I seriously dislike squatters so that's something.

    • @neoxyte
      @neoxyte 3 года назад +10

      Yeah. I like that they only go into abandoned buildings. So many squatters threaten normal mom and pop landlords who are just trying to make their mortgage.

    • @felipedaiber2991
      @felipedaiber2991 3 года назад +6

      @@neoxyte if they had no one renting it I asume the ladlords arent loosing money when the already abandoned building gets ocupied by squaters

  • @Sandman_117
    @Sandman_117 3 года назад +159

    A couple months of free rent for them to remodel the whole building seems like a fair trade IMO

    • @PHlophe
      @PHlophe 3 года назад +10

      Boni, Chico. they are just preventing the weather from getting in. not exactly remodeling it .

    • @jameslong2618
      @jameslong2618 3 года назад +10

      Yeah posters over large holes is an upgrade

    • @jacklinks6097
      @jacklinks6097 3 года назад +13

      If I had an unoccupied building I would let them stay as long as they didn’t trash it and improved on it. I would let them stay there permanently if they could cover the taxes.

    • @pureprotein9597
      @pureprotein9597 3 года назад

      @@jameslong2618 not really

    • @gwynethchloe
      @gwynethchloe 3 года назад +1

      @@pureprotein9597 they were being sarcastic-

  • @Jeremycook_
    @Jeremycook_ 3 года назад +126

    Lived in forclosed houses for a few years in California mid 2000's and its stressful af

    • @williebeamish5879
      @williebeamish5879 3 года назад +10

      Would you do it again and what was the closest call / avoidance methods you had?

    • @unknown-hb2to
      @unknown-hb2to 3 года назад +1

      @@williebeamish5879 definitely. Closest thing to a real home

    • @ceezvelasquez932
      @ceezvelasquez932 3 года назад +1

      Get w job

    • @Jeremycook_
      @Jeremycook_ 3 года назад +8

      @@williebeamish5879 no way and I would just go in after dark. Got chased out by realtors and cops many times, arrested twice. Like I said stressful af don't recommend.

    • @Jeremycook_
      @Jeremycook_ 3 года назад +25

      @@ceezvelasquez932 Good advice wish I thought of that when I was too busy getting high. You should be a life coach with all your wisdom and knowledge of life

  • @Jwilliams813
    @Jwilliams813 3 года назад +271

    Just based off the title I thought this was going to be about an illegal gym

    • @paulangelopineda2534
      @paulangelopineda2534 3 года назад +13

      when you do squats you mus maintain a certain form or the paris special action squad will be all up in your ass lol

    • @Bettie_Rage
      @Bettie_Rage 3 года назад +6

      Or about another Paris Hilton porn video.

    • @TheJohnChocolate
      @TheJohnChocolate 3 года назад

      🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

    • @lbee8710
      @lbee8710 3 года назад +2

      Like the dude in N.Ireland who keeps getting arrested for opening his gym during Covid lol

    • @SP-ft4ir
      @SP-ft4ir 3 года назад +2

      The form police arrests half squatter

  • @davomccranko
    @davomccranko 3 года назад +14

    Fully support this guys on their mission. They're finding and rescued uninhabited and unloved spaces and allowing awesome people to live in the city. They were born there. Paris is their home.

  • @kimly6403
    @kimly6403 3 года назад +6

    They represent the true meaning of community. I wish them well and hopefully the owner is willing to extend their stay until someone is interested in renting out or buying the building. Vous envoyer tant d'amour de Californie ❤️

  • @thebatteries6286
    @thebatteries6286 3 года назад +5

    I applaud the people who are struggling but still do their best to overcome their difficulties as these fine people do! Honest and upfront, they even took the time to fix and repaint walls... These people would make better renters then alot that i've seen! We are all people...

  • @Pilot-Ali
    @Pilot-Ali 3 года назад +62

    People living on streets and buildings are empty. The irony runs through my mind.

    • @OhFuck420
      @OhFuck420 3 года назад +1

      If you wanna watch black market videos check me out.

    • @DUKEisALIVE
      @DUKEisALIVE 3 года назад +1

      Look if the building werent empty the people on the streets still wouldnt live there

    • @chaoticfirearm
      @chaoticfirearm 3 года назад +4

      That's capitalism for you.

    • @Pilot-Ali
      @Pilot-Ali 3 года назад

      @@chaoticfirearmYes indeed, that is the dark side of capitalism.

    • @flakgun153
      @flakgun153 3 года назад +3

      If tenants rights are too high, it makes more sense for a landlord to just leave properties empty in order to retain the rights over it.
      The same issue happens in NYC, where many owners of industrial property or rent controlled property will simply not rent out when tenants leave and let the property fall into disrepair

  • @IndelibleHD
    @IndelibleHD 3 года назад +166

    The Vice that I subscribed for 👍❤️

    • @PHlophe
      @PHlophe 3 года назад +3

      shush !

    • @PaladinFury
      @PaladinFury 3 года назад +10

      It's amazing how they can go from complete garbage nonsense (like that one guy getting his butthole bleached..) straight back to actually interesting documentaries like this one that make people THINK about stuff, not just "heh that's funny".

    • @glcmranger421
      @glcmranger421 3 года назад +2

      Vice philosophy: If a camera lense can see it, it’s news. 😳

    • @OhFuck420
      @OhFuck420 3 года назад +1

      If you wanna watch black market videos check me out.

    • @wan8655
      @wan8655 3 года назад

      Shut up man

  • @damienscullytoo
    @damienscullytoo 3 года назад +9

    Like, can't they just do precarious agreements until the owners want to do something with it? Not only is the house getting use, but they've also managed to fix it up. They have done work alone that would have cost the owners tens of thousands. Seems like a game where everyone wins

  • @skwashua
    @skwashua 3 года назад +6

    There are these giant retail stores that have gone out of business and the space remains vacant for YEARS. (Kmart, toys r us, etc)
    We should turn these into temporary housing for the homeless

  • @wickandde
    @wickandde 2 года назад +5

    I really hope they go far in life, they are young, so skilled and resourceful and so respectful of the places they inhabit. In-between it all they managed to cook a nutritious meal of rice too! No matter what they look after themselves, that's amazing!

  • @chrisbedwards
    @chrisbedwards 3 года назад

    This was so good. Minimal editorializing. Just showing us the people and their story, interviewing them a bit, and then wrapping it up.

  • @LynxenX
    @LynxenX 3 года назад +17

    "In 2020 Paris became the most expensive city in the world to live. 15% of its properties remain unoccupied." Paris, Toronto, Vancouver, London, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, the list goes on. This is what happens when housing is allowed to be a commodity instead of a human right. Unreal prices, high levels of vacancy and payment delinquency, market bubbles so large that popping them wont fix the problem. Housing should be strictly regulated by governments and there should be no profit involved with housing people. Rent and mortgage payments should be interest-free and not indexed to inflation or min. wage in any way, as well as individually proportional to no more than 20% of a single persons net annual income.

    • @XxSapphiregurlxX
      @XxSapphiregurlxX 3 года назад +3

      Exactly, we need to put a cap on the number of houses a person can own. We also need to start paying people real wages that can allow them to rent/buy a property rather than being homeless.

    • @justanordinaryaccount9910
      @justanordinaryaccount9910 3 года назад +1

      @@XxSapphiregurlxX what next putting a cap on the number of toothbrushes one can own?

    • @XxSapphiregurlxX
      @XxSapphiregurlxX 3 года назад

      @@justanordinaryaccount9910 I guess it must be nice for you to equate land which is a scarce and finite resource to toothbrushes.

    • @justanordinaryaccount9910
      @justanordinaryaccount9910 3 года назад +2

      @@XxSapphiregurlxX toothbrushes are also a finite resource, as is basically everything, and breaking into someone's house and staying inside for months is arguably worse invasion of privacy than using someone's toothbrush.

    • @davidnyc487
      @davidnyc487 3 года назад

      You think that’s bad, in New York, London and Sidney Australia Water is going to be a commodity.

  • @astralfluxaf
    @astralfluxaf 3 года назад +20

    These men are doing amazing work... what you would think is common sense and obvious
    But the people who own these vacant buildings often times are so far removed from reality.. I’m glad these men are able to bring these things to their attention and hopefully persuade them to do the right thing
    What’s better.... an empty disgusting building that is falling apart? Or allowing someone to
    Live there who will fix it up and maintain it for the time being???
    Doesn’t make any sense!!! Stop making the rich richer and the poor poorer!

  • @Lucky14970
    @Lucky14970 3 года назад +23

    Guy in charge tells the crew that its of the utmost importance that they are quiet; next scene is a guy playing his electric keyboard.

  • @WeThePeeps13
    @WeThePeeps13 2 года назад +1

    I was thisclose to becoming homeless myself. The housing market in Toronto has skyrocketed and rent's become unaffordable. It's easy to say, "If you can't afford it, just move outta the city"
    ....the only city I know, the city I LOVE, the place I call home.
    But, it's not that easy to start over at 50.
    I contacted a man I barely knew (cleaned his offices, decades ago), to ask if he'd be willing to rent one of several empty houses he owns. At first, he said they were uninhabitable which, they were....due to neglect. A year later I asked him again. I stressed my situation, tried to reason with him, and then, pretty much used the ol'
    "low rent is better than NO rent" approach. And, VOÍLA.....
    Home Sweet Home.
    (It wasn't that easy....
    but, totally worth it.)
    Take a chance, find abandoned properties, talk to the owners.... some of 'em have hearts.
    Best of luck.

  • @christinasornbutnark1208
    @christinasornbutnark1208 3 года назад +20

    This is happening to my city, Huntington Beach, California USA. You can’t even get a condo for under 1 million a freaking condo! Guess where I live, yep a condo complex. My husband and I both make a bit over 100K, which seems like enough to buy a home but we have two kids in college. We will have to move eventually bc there is no entry level/ first time buyer priced homes in my city for my kids to start their own families and the city keeps begging the state to stop building the mandatory low income housing. Which the state said ok to. We wouldn’t qualify anyway. The nice houses cost well over 4 mil and up to 10 mil. It’s a joke and it sucks when you get priced out of your *HOME* it’s completely fucked up.

    • @annickbate3839
      @annickbate3839 3 года назад +1

      Move to Florida. Beautiful weather affordable mansions. Miami- west palm or Sarasota. Great colleges here

    • @firsttenor76
      @firsttenor76 3 года назад

      Yeah, California housing prices are absolutely insane. I have million dollar houses around me, I'm at the bottom of the mountain / hill community.. and houses less than a block away are going for up to 2 million which is absolutely insane! It just makes no sense. Our house is $700,000 - and our mortgage is only $2300, but I imagine the multi million dollar houses around us are going for $4K to 7K a month.

    • @jeffrelf
      @jeffrelf 3 года назад +1

      Christina Sornbutnark:
      > It’s a joke...
      It’s state-sponsored fraud, an inverted pyramid.
      It can't last.

  • @Stephen12396
    @Stephen12396 3 года назад +49

    Really interesting video, I feel as if squatting will become more popular in the future due to the consequences of neoliberal policies that aren't bragged about such as pushing the poor out of being able to afford their own place to live in a city they grew up in, which is quite tragic in a way

    • @pureprotein9597
      @pureprotein9597 3 года назад

      @J S it’s socialist ideals that make people drop down/ struggle. In Canada no matter who you are(unless indigenous decent) you pay your 26.5-66,5% income tax your whole life, and then when you die they take 1/3 of your possessions. When you die if you are financially unstable and don’t have 1/3 of your worth in cash, the government will take your house/farm and sell it

    • @HairEEck
      @HairEEck 3 года назад +5

      @@pureprotein9597 none of what you mentionned has anything to do with socialism though. I know americans are brainwashed to fear socialism and associate it with things that aren't even remotely socialist so don't hesitate to ask questions or use the internet to learn more about it, you more than likely already agree with the (real) principles of socialism.
      Anyway I hope you are having a good day :)

  • @sanm5219
    @sanm5219 3 года назад +31

    Wow....the passion and the struggle is real, we live in such a world.

    • @Spookykidshow
      @Spookykidshow 3 года назад +1

      If you make 30k a year you're in the top 1%

  • @aeon_zero
    @aeon_zero 3 года назад +1

    We tried this once in Golders Green, the landlord's lawyer told me to show up at the nearest police station, moved to Holloway Road soon after. We also fixed up the place pretty good, but those guys didn't care

  • @CailynMorningstar
    @CailynMorningstar 3 года назад +1

    Good for them! There are so many abandoned buildings that could be used to house the homeless. And at least they're respectful and just trying to find somewhere to live. They're not damaging any of the properties they stay in.

  • @marceltopawian
    @marceltopawian 3 года назад +34

    Vice, we need more!

  • @maxmoovin
    @maxmoovin 3 года назад +14

    How can you not be inspired by these artists.

  • @jessicasmith7102
    @jessicasmith7102 3 года назад +18

    Necessity is the mother of invention.

  • @firsttenor76
    @firsttenor76 3 года назад +2

    I can respect that... breaking into a place, then making it better than when you first found and occupied it. They don't do crazy drugs, they just need a place to live in a spot that is can't be occupied anyway because of expensive building codes. I think it's a win-win for all parties involved.

  • @holytoblerone2017
    @holytoblerone2017 3 года назад +14

    This phenomenon is actually a big thing in many bigger cities at least in europe, very interesting tho

  • @timmyspov
    @timmyspov 3 года назад +64

    I literally came here expecting to find a forbidden workout technique, smh.

    • @glcmranger421
      @glcmranger421 3 года назад +3

      Literally? Obviously, you don’t know how to use the word “literally.” Get out of mommy’s basement and live! Poor thing... 👶

    • @timmyspov
      @timmyspov 3 года назад

      @Gael Maybe you haven't seen as much weird stuff as I on the internet, but I truly did!

    • @daskes123
      @daskes123 3 года назад +1

      @@glcmranger421 Grow up :)

    • @timmyspov
      @timmyspov 3 года назад

      @@glcmranger421 lmfao I haven't been trolled in a while but I'm off today and I have some free time before the carpet cleaners get here. So let's do this 🤡.. Let's compare social media handles for the world to see who actually lives in their parents basement!! Bet you won't accept my challenge; chump!!

    • @foreveryactionthereisacons1683
      @foreveryactionthereisacons1683 3 года назад +1

      @@timmyspov I just got told on a completely different site, that I lived in my parents basement. To assume I have two parents and lived in a house, is incredible. I grew up in apartment's with a single mom who worked all the time. Latchkey kid here. The homeless epidemic definitely needs to change. It just takes a paycheck.. that guy is just projecting because he lives in his parents basement.

  • @undiemundie661
    @undiemundie661 3 года назад +2

    These videos by vice are amazing. Easily one of th best videos produced on youtube

  • @aliciadear
    @aliciadear 3 года назад +1

    This was incredible. The people are so charismatic. Good filmmaking too!

  • @Megadeth6633
    @Megadeth6633 3 года назад +7

    having lived in paris and being friends with some squatters from there, I call BS on most squatters. it's true that in Paris it's hard to get housing, but a lot of these people are plain and simple middle class hipsters who just like occupying houses, descending the catacombs, and trespassing in general for the kicks. If they REALLY wanted to live somewhere in a stable manner, chances are they would probably get it. You don't even have to live inside Paris with the amazing public transport they have. After all, France has many social policies that will help you out. You CAN become stable in france if you actually want it.-
    Squatters in paris live more of a lifestyle, most aren't forced into it as they might make you believe.

    • @delilah3556
      @delilah3556 3 года назад +2

      True, but the housing market has reached breaking point here. It needs to stop.

    • @paulcamus8944
      @paulcamus8944 3 года назад

      Parisian here. You're 100% spot on.

  • @thanibali6774
    @thanibali6774 3 года назад +4

    i missed the most about living in Paris went to every squats met all the amazing young aspiring artists!

  • @lucasulich4149
    @lucasulich4149 2 года назад +2

    makes sense: empty buildings, people on the streets. what are they gonna do, stare at eachother?

  • @FuzzyWobble
    @FuzzyWobble 3 года назад +2

    Amazing story. Thanks for capturing this VICE. Everyone was so sensible and considerate. Can't imagine how fast people would get tazed and/or shot trying this in USA.

  • @PaniniPressing
    @PaniniPressing 3 года назад +2

    Thats crazy. You can just Shanghai a vacant building and clean it up and live there rent free. Just come to an agreement with the owner that you'll keep it clean, repair a few things, and Wala!

    • @2112jonr
      @2112jonr 3 года назад +2

      Sounds like China have got at least that one right. Pragmatic.

    • @PaniniPressing
      @PaniniPressing 3 года назад

      @@2112jonr thats pretty good.

  • @N1pp4l03
    @N1pp4l03 3 года назад +4

    This was really interesting. Please could you follow these people and give an update. I'd totally watch that

  • @oed84
    @oed84 3 года назад

    thank you!
    finally a proper depiction of what squatters are truly like! they are not the lazy bums and junkies who invade other peoples properties, just because they don't feel like paying rent and who will trash the places they get into. they are decent people who don't have the means to provide themselves with standard living conditions, and who will move into a property and keep the building alive by keeping vermin and vandals out. it's nice to see that there is a way to come to an agreement with the owners, in France. I hope they get to stay there for a long time and can develop the space!

  • @epicpeppy2977
    @epicpeppy2977 3 года назад +1

    Really interesting video. It interesting to compare these to people who Iv seen squat in states. I don't condone this at all but they at least did repairs to building and hopefully paid some amount for being allowed to stay there

  • @merdab8
    @merdab8 3 года назад +4

    I wish this was more widely done on cities in the U.S. My city is really small but if there's an abandoned house it sells so cheaply that a collective could really help polish it back up. Right now it's done by small families or one guy flipping it for fun but the idea that groups of young people putting eclectic touches around the whole place would be really moving. It's good to know that they would be safe as well. Good job Parisians! Absolutely brilliant.

    • @st2udent_650
      @st2udent_650 3 года назад

      Honestly a collective effort to fix and repair houses is brilliant. Ims surprised I haven't heard of it happening anywhere , I believe it would be a funding issue since the people who live in those areas are busy paying their own mortgages.
      That being said , what city are you in ?

  • @jordcarter2359
    @jordcarter2359 Год назад +2

    I've alot of respect for these guys. They are being respectful, they have a genuine reason behind their actions and they seem to be making a positive impact on the properties they squat.

  • @seebass7
    @seebass7 3 года назад +17

    reality show where squatters renovate old buildings into gentrified apartments

    • @joetroyner
      @joetroyner 3 года назад +2

      Then swiftly get kicked out into the street once the place is sold..

    • @HairEEck
      @HairEEck 3 года назад

      So you prefer an ugly empty building?

  • @DD-ih7wn
    @DD-ih7wn 3 года назад +1

    These folks have the RIGHT approach. They fix up the place, practice hygiene, a zero drugs policy and exhibit a sincere sense of community with artistic flair. I wish them all the best. 🙏🏼😇👌🏻

  • @isobelamber9785
    @isobelamber9785 2 года назад +1

    He made such a good point about the homeless sleeping outside of buildings they could be sleeping inside. There should be some sort of system for abandoned buildings to be acquired by charities

  • @PHlophe
    @PHlophe 3 года назад +20

    finding an apartment in Paris is PURE HELL . For the same apartment , its not uncommon to see 20 people line up to visit . and sometimes they'd be 3-4 at the same time inside.
    we need to prevent rich folk from buying 3-4 apartments and detached home and we need to keep all those vapid models from the city . way too expensive to live here. not sustainable .

    • @glcmranger421
      @glcmranger421 3 года назад +1

      Lechiffresix, Don’t you need to find a job? Maybe that’s how the “rich folk” bought those “apartments and detach home” that you want. Life is so complicated, huh? 🤔

    • @walkz007
      @walkz007 3 года назад +1

      @@glcmranger421 ouch🤣🤣🤣

    • @walkz007
      @walkz007 3 года назад +1

      To be fair you can't stop people from making purchases let alone stopping someone from buying as much as they want if they can afford it because it's the landlord who decides not personal feelings.I think you mean those who buy for vapid purposes like vacation homes instead of priority to locals or those that use the apartments sales for illegal hiding of money,but the rich are going to do rich things.

    • @PHlophe
      @PHlophe 3 года назад +7

      @@walkz007 its actually easy, the rule number one is that you actually live in the area you are buying the house or apartment in. For most buyers its a pied-a-terre type of deal or they show up once in a blue moon. and then they buy up to 5 homes at a time , pavillions and what have you . if the local authorities kept a registry of multiple home buyers we would not be in this predicament.
      i had a landlord tell me, how she thought it was unfair cos rich people were buying several places. Mind you the B!tch owned 3 apartments.
      has anyone ever tried to look for a place to live anywhere in the heart or the outskirts of Paris ? and the reason we need 2 grantors to own a small place .
      You guys can enjoy Emilie in Paris with her plus size loft .

    • @walkz007
      @walkz007 3 года назад +1

      @@PHlophe that's something else I was wondering ,if Paris is too expensive move to the surrounding areas have the government upgrade the road structure ,if it's work there must be other solutions like off site lications,it's something that is happening in most urban cities,it's too expensive to live, so there has been a lot of urban - rural areas.Anyway this is all idealistic thinking because no one is going to turn down money for the sake of being fair.

  • @dustin628
    @dustin628 3 года назад +4

    Aw I love these guys! Do they have a channel of their own? Good for them.

  • @RoastyPotato
    @RoastyPotato 2 года назад +1

    A lot of people saying things to suggest that these squatters are outside the norm. In actual fact, many squats are sober squats, without mad parties 24/7, that really are there due to the moral imperative to use unused resources to help those in need.

  • @ginyang
    @ginyang 3 года назад

    Thanks, great insights into some stuff going on here and there!

  • @Dontridemynick
    @Dontridemynick 3 года назад +11

    The same thing is currently happening here in Canada right now. Too many speculators buying properties after the covid crisis now many homes are vacant and selling for twice what they were before the pandemic.

  • @jo3ywils0n39
    @jo3ywils0n39 3 года назад +31

    That dude has such a French hat

    • @enegron6987
      @enegron6987 3 года назад +1

      @Buenas Intenciones that’s so funny when I was in France I saw a French drunkman in the subway (metro)
      Edit: with a Bonaparte hat

  • @betoortiz6098
    @betoortiz6098 3 года назад +2

    Thanks for the upload Vice.

  • @humberabdulah4733
    @humberabdulah4733 3 года назад

    Great storytelling thank you for bringing this video to broader audience

  • @kristilisakleiner9384
    @kristilisakleiner9384 3 года назад +3

    They seem to be respectful and have good standards and leave it in better shape and they find it, I have sympathy and respect for them

  • @whyyouasking9744
    @whyyouasking9744 3 года назад +17

    I lived in squats in London and Netherlands around 10 years ago

    • @glcmranger421
      @glcmranger421 3 года назад +2

      You’re a hero! Here’s a 🥇

    • @clapton5261
      @clapton5261 3 года назад +2

      How was it in the Netherlands back then, if you don't mind me asking? And to answer to your screen name, I am just curious lol

  • @deirdre9746
    @deirdre9746 3 года назад +2

    Yes! Hell yes! A series! These squatters are methodical and genius

  • @alexandraleurck4692
    @alexandraleurck4692 3 года назад +1

    Having a place to live is something that I definitely take for granted. I'm glad that it worked out for them in the end, but it is also crazy how expensive Paris is. At some point, only the rich will make up Paris, and diversity in any sense will plummet. Their housing structure needs to be reviewed big time.

  • @foxtailedcritter
    @foxtailedcritter 3 года назад +11

    I live in Sydney Australia where the rent and price to own a house is one of the highest in the world. There's alot of homeless people and too many empty houses that landlords just own to gain property value over time no one lives in them and they often own more then two.
    I'm not a squatter but I can kinda understand how this pops off and honestly don't blame them.

    • @mjstecyk
      @mjstecyk 3 года назад +4

      landlords are entitled middlemen who add no value.

  • @giovannidubon4887
    @giovannidubon4887 3 года назад +3

    Brought a smile to my face especially at the end 😊

  • @fullspektrum435
    @fullspektrum435 3 года назад

    Fantastic! If i was an owner and that house would be in that derelict condition but the squatters would be like these, i would try to get into an agreement that if they make littel bit of renovations while there, and cause no problems with drugs etc, they can stay for a year or two.

  • @suzischwarz4083
    @suzischwarz4083 Год назад

    My daughter lives in London for several years with her Dad's parents. She moved on to live with her Boyfriend in private Housing. Rent was £750 per month for a tiny one bed flat, that didn't include Bills Food Clothing Travel in Brixton. I grew up in Brixton!!

  • @w8ngr
    @w8ngr 3 года назад +20

    Squatting seems like a young mans game my question is what happens to these guys when they hit oap surely it’s not viable to do this when your 70

    • @liokin229
      @liokin229 3 года назад +3

      It seems like they have a lot of time to figure something out at least.

  • @thecitizenjoan
    @thecitizenjoan 3 года назад +4

    Now this is the VICE I love and remember

    • @odakyuodakyu6650
      @odakyuodakyu6650 3 года назад

      you mean vice magazine in 2007 constantly writing about squatting cause half of its writers lived in the same squat and had nothing else to write about?

  • @IceMaidenxx3
    @IceMaidenxx3 3 года назад +1

    Incredible! Soooo much admiration. There is a global affordable housing crisis and yet governments still bow to the whims of private landowners and firms... So many empty houses and so many unaffordable new flats... What's the point?!
    If government's *really* wanted to this crisis could be sorted, but the lack of political will is telling 😒

  • @jasongray6437
    @jasongray6437 3 года назад

    Amazing to see them actually clean and improve the building interior! Can’t imagine that happening in many other countries.

  • @MinnieMansonDIY
    @MinnieMansonDIY 3 года назад +9

    Why is that guy so effortlessly cool and charming 😍

  • @denniskelley2697
    @denniskelley2697 3 года назад +5

    Vice: Paris' Illegal Squats
    Me: Damn... Leg day bros must hate it there

    • @Yvaelle
      @Yvaelle 3 года назад +1

      Barbell squats and you drop the barbell when you're done? Straight to jail!

  • @thacrypt223
    @thacrypt223 3 года назад +1

    Loved this. Wonderful work Vice!

  • @jennythoroughman6417
    @jennythoroughman6417 3 года назад +2

    So happy they got stuff resolved with the landlord.

  • @mr-kanni
    @mr-kanni 3 года назад +4

    Salut, après 10 ans de squat sur Genève (Suisse), tout est mort au moment où les politiques ont fait un gros coup de force, nous avions 200 squat en 1990, et en 2021 2 ou 3, mais même, si je ne squat plus depuis quelques années, moi et beaucoup de mes connaissances somment parti dans une spiral très précaire ,et nous n'avons malheureusement que trop perdu dans ce combat. ma dernière phrase est ... ( is over ), en tout cas pour ma génération, très bon reportage vice, mais il faut le vivre pour le comprendre, comme un pirate la dit un jour : Car sans rire, c'est plus facile de rêver à ce qu'on ne pourra jamais plus toucher, sur ce bon combat au jeunes. toute mes excuses, je ne suis pas un érudit en Français, et je ne souhaite pas le devenir, juste exposer notre dure vie de pirate du logement.

  • @Debrugger
    @Debrugger 3 года назад +4

    Solidarity from Germany!

  • @jjackbrown
    @jjackbrown 3 года назад

    brilliant, such a shame people have to resort to these extremes but empty housing / buildings should NOT be allowed to legally sit empty. more of this! power to the people

  • @ZackTuNan
    @ZackTuNan 3 года назад

    The bench at the end was so cute ! They’re very handy and crafty in building.

  • @Stoney-Jacksman
    @Stoney-Jacksman 3 года назад +8

    The idea of buying and owning space is really trippy. It becomes disgusting when some are suffocating because they have no space and the super privileged have all the space.
    This ish is happening in every big city in the world and especially in the west. Gentrification is killing.

  • @myownsite
    @myownsite 3 года назад +5

    Oh look, a bunch of "Real VICE is back!!" comments, despite old Vice never going away but co-existing with newer style of comment.

  • @shoppinmadnesz22
    @shoppinmadnesz22 3 года назад +1

    *what frustrates me is why the police have to kick squatters out of vacant buildings that literally haven't been occupied for years. like wouldn't you rather have them live there than out on the streets? what "damage" could they possibly do to the building that hasn't already been done?*

  • @raiemie7365
    @raiemie7365 3 года назад

    I really loved that they set up the building so well this fast and that they aim for public long unoccupied buildings, ethics and pragmatism !!

  • @NumberFourteen
    @NumberFourteen 3 года назад +3

    Love the Ajax Amsterdam scarf!

  • @justonejlking
    @justonejlking 3 года назад +6

    They all look like VICE employees 😂

  • @ahrkricardo7013
    @ahrkricardo7013 3 года назад +1

    I like these guys. Respectful and responsible. Any property owner would be happy to help people like these.

  • @karastak1
    @karastak1 3 года назад

    Thanks Vice for sharing other realities with people.