Police have forcibly evicted squatters from empty houses in Melbourne that were acquired for the now-dumped East West Link, after claims the group was threatening and abusing other residents in the street.

The squatters broke into several houses in Bendigo Street, Collingwood, on Tuesday night.

This afternoon dozens of Victoria Police officers descended on the street as neighbours and bystanders watched on.

A number of squatters were seen pushing and resisting and were pinned to the ground by police before being taken away. Others argued with officers.

Police also removed items of clothing and other effects from the property.

The Government asked for police to remove the squatters. ( ABC News )

Housing Minister Martin Foley said the squatters had used weapons to force their way in.

"There was a number of reports Victoria Police was acting on, regarding weapons of a range of different types, whether they be lumps of four-by-two all the way through to chainsaws," he said.

A family of six, including children, were among them.

One of the people who had been in the houses, Frank Hayes, known as Uncle Frank, said his family had nowhere else to go.

"They tell us we've got to get out because they've got to give it to people who need houses," he said.

"What the hell do we need? What do we want, humpies, tents, igloos, whatever?"

Group protest to highlight homelessness

Uncle Frank said he and his family were in need of housing. ( ABC News: Cheryl Hall )

The houses were acquired by the previous Coalition government along with others in Parkville to make way for the building of the proposed East West Link.

The current Government cancelled the road contract and announced it would use the houses as emergency accommodation for families fleeing domestic violence.

But about 50 homeless people began living in the properties. In August they came to an agreement with the Andrews Government to move out.

A group supporting the squatters said they were trying to draw attention to homelessness.



"This is a peaceful protest and we've come here to win hearts and minds," Kelly Whitworth said.

"If there's been any drug taking or drinking here then it's been no different to what you'd be doing in any street in Melbourne."

'Thugs': Minister slams squatters

Bendigo Street resident Keith Fitzgerald said he was on the verge of leaving.

"It's been hell for eight months. We've had effluent under floor, we had kids running over our roof," he said.

"We've had wild tirades, drug related tirades at two in the morning, three times a week. Theft is just incredible."

Mr Foley said he had asked police to remove the squatters.

"These people who think they are advocating for homeless people are in fact just thugs," he said.

"They are intimidating the local Bendigo Street community. They have a right to live in a safe peaceful environment."