THE Paris end of Barkly St is already losing its shine, with residents from the new affordable housing complex plagued with another parking crisis.

Residents of the Barkly Hotel complex are copping fines left, right and centre because there is no dedicated car park for the building, and the council is knocking back requests for residential parking permits.

Residents have told Star they have to move their cars several times a day in all weather, with some even paying for parking to have their cars nearby.

Most are parking their cars on Geelong Rd or near Footscray train station.

“We can all understand that they didn’t want to make a car park for us, but we’re finding it really difficult and have to move our car during the day,” resident Sylvia Grbin said.

“You can never sleep in and you’re constantly thinking about your car. We’re going to have to do this for the rest of our lives.”

The $20 million development was officially opened last month, prompting State Housing Minister Richard Wynne to call the area the “Paris end of Barkly St”.

The seven-storey complex includes 35 studio apartments, 12 one-bedroom units and 24 two-bedroom units, each with its own ensuite bathroom. The building has 10 car parking spaces for staff at the Lentil As Anything restaurant and the office area.

At least 45 of the units have already been sold.

Ms Grbin said one resident had been fined 13 times for parking infringements.

She fears finding a park will become harder in coming years as Footscray’s CBD builds up.