When Rod Boynton’s relationship with his partner broke down, his world fell apart. Unable to afford the rent on their home by himself, he ended up sleeping rough for three weeks, on the streets, on park benches and in shop doorways, which also made keeping his storeman and driver job impossible. Rod Boynton lives in a Paddington boarding house.
He couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Credit: James Brickwood Finally, beaten but unbroken, he took refuge in a Salvation Army hostel in Surry Hills, where eager to earn his keep, he volunteered to help around the place. “They liked me there and offered me a permanent job but told me I’d have to live elsewhere to take it,” said Boynton, now 63.
“So that’s when I was shown this boarding house.” He sits on his bed and glances around his modest room, with its TV, small table, damp patch on the ceiling, and tiny, curtained-off kitchen recess with just a fridge, microwave and portable hot plate, as well as access to two communal toilets shared between eight residents. “I liked it as soon as I saw it,” he said with a smile.
“I’ve been here 11 years now, and I can’t imagine ever living anywhere else.” Rod has lived in his home for 11 years. Credit: James Brickwood Or he couldn’t.
That is until the row of four privately owned boarding houses on Paddington’s Selwyn Street all fell under the threat of redevelopment from accommodation for 32 men into four luxury houses. It’s ignited a protest campaign that no one could ever have seen coming, with all the buildings’ neighbours uniting around the men to champion their right to their $200-a-week homes..
