A ticket, not a tenancy

The NSW government booked Mark Hudson a flight to New Zealand rather than give him temporary accommodation, as officials worked to clear a riverside camp in Wagga Wagga.

Why the camp is under pressure

Council and the state have pushed to clear the Wilks Park encampment since May, when a newborn died after its mother gave birth to twins in a tent.

Move on or pay up

Residents got compliance notices threatening fines up to $1,100. Advocates say at least four people were fined about $110 for not leaving in time. Council denies fining people for where they stay.

Eighteen years, no paperwork

Hudson, 53, says he has permanent residency and is entitled to temporary accommodation. He lacks the online verification to prove it, and has not lived in New Zealand since 2008.

Asked six or seven times

He says a Homes NSW officer kept returning to the same offer, the flight, until it felt like pressure rather than help.

“She just kept on … 'You want the flight? You want the flight?'”

$1,797 and a cancelled plane

They booked Wagga to Sydney to Auckland for $1,797. The airline cancelled the international leg. Hudson stayed, with a girlfriend in town, custody of his granddaughter coming, and a dog he won't leave.

A call from a reporter worked

On Friday, after Guardian Australia contacted the NSW government, Hudson was offered accommodation and is expected to move in next week.

Homes NSW tells it differently

The agency says Hudson started the conversation about returning to family in New Zealand, that travel costs are a standard support option, and that he is not eligible for social housing.

The gap that keeps killing

Proving residency is the gate to social housing. The same gap failed Bikram Lama, Sydney's 'birdman', who died sleeping rough at St James station in December.

“They haven't worked together on anything substantial, they are just pushing a narrative.”