Brazil slum residents refuse to move into housing complex

Soldiers patrol on a highway in the Mare Complex slums in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 24, 2016. AP

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil—Residents of a Rio de Janeiro shantytown that was demolished earlier this year to make room for the Olympic Park have refused to move into the housing project the municipal government built for them.

Vila Autodromo was once home to around 700 families. Most left the city or accepted offers of compensation or resettlement in a nearby housing complex.

But 20 families had refused to move out and a new housing project was built for them. They were scheduled to move in Tuesday but refused to do so, complaining of the lack of paved streets and public lighting.

City officials say the streets will be paved and lighting will be installed by the end of the week.

The Olympics are scheduled to begin on Aug. 5.