One of the squatters outside the Supreme Court on Sunday. Credit:Daniel Pockett The injunction remains until 10.30am Monday, when the matter will return to the Supreme Court Practice Court. When granting the injunction, Justice Clyde Croft said "interim relief" needed to be granted to those in the Bendigo Street homes. "It's alive and well, we will see what happens," he told the court. "The State of Victoria, whether by its servants, agents or otherwise (which includes Victoria Police), is restrained from interfering with or in any way disturbing the possession or access of the occupants of any of the residences."

Bendigo Street squatters in front of the Supreme Court on Sunday afternoon. Credit:Daniel Pockett The order includes Bendigo Street in Collingwood, Manningham Street in Parkville and Alexander Parade in Clifton Hill. Twelve of the residents attended court on Sunday, each giving evidence about what would happen if they were thrown out of their squat homes. Lucie Spectre in front of a house on Bendigo Street. Credit:Justin McManus Rudi, who has a son with autism, told the court he had been on the public housing waiting list for 10 years and had lived in caravan parks, private accommodation and crisis accommodation.

His son has "very high needs" and said if he were to be evicted from Bendigo Street "I would have to go back into crisis accommodation and I would not be able to see my son". Protesters and homeless people in Bendigo Street in April. Another squatter, John Alexander, said being thrown out would severely impact his mental health. "I have a sense of love and community that I've never experienced before, before coming to Bendigo Street it was the worst I have ever felt," he said. One resident, who asked not to be named, said the ruling was good news.

"The court heard from residents and recognised the impact that evictions would have, unlike the state government," they said. Homeless Persons Union of Victoria member Joel Bynon, who has been residing on Bendigo Street as a political protest to Victoria's lack of public housing, said Sunday's outcome provided a "moment of relief". "For a lot of people, the eviction notices triggered trauma of isolation, of ending up back on the streets," he said. "Ideally, the state needs to bear in mind that power actually means responsibility and they're responsible to act in a way that doesn't negatively impact a person's human rights." Mr Bynon said it was important to remember human rights must be protected for people who are homeless, just as they are for those who are not experiencing homelessness.

The group did not have time to find legal representation before appearing on Sunday, but they were assisted by barrister Claire Nicholson. They are hopeful they will be connected with a lawyer through Justice Connect before Monday's hearing. Ms Nicholson told the court the "balance of convenience" was very much in the favour of the squatters and "there may be an existing right for the residents to live there". She said one of the group's submissions was that they were not given enough time to find accommodation. The applicants were in the midst of seeking legal advice when the notices were served, Ms Nicholson said.

Justice Croft noted that the eviction notices were not dated and it was unusual for residents to be given less than 14 days' notice. However, he also noted that the Bendigo Street applicants were not "usual tenants," as they were not paying rent at the properties they were living in. Justice Croft said possession was something common law had recognised for centuries, and those rights should be recognised in this case. "You would hope a matter of relocation would be a process and not simply a matter of throwing people out into the street," he said. The properties were acquired by the state for the East West Link project, which was scrapped when Premier Daniel Andrews won power.

The government plans to use the homes for public housing. Victoria Police warned the squatters last week they could be guilty of trespass if they refused to leave the homes and that police could use "reasonable force" to evict them. Neither Victoria Police or the state government were represented in court. Families, including those with children who have started attending the local school, are worried about the impending eviction. One woman said she had fled her home with three young children to escape a violent partner she feared would kill her. "I've been to every single housing service. All that they can offer us is a room in a motel, which is extremely dangerous for me, because if I'm alone my partner could find me," she said.

Loading "Here at Bendigo Street for the first time in years, I know my kids are safe. "I've been here for two months. If we're evicted by police – we're going to be back at the beginning, where are we going to go?"