FRIGHTENED, exposed and taken for a fool.

That's how some residents of a Tweed Heads South public housing complex have been left feeling after being promised a security fence, before being given a gate that doesn't lock.

Last August, resident Annette Ciesla spoke to the Tweed Daily News about a string of break and enters and damage to property at the complex.

Then, residents pleaded with the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) to have security screens installed.

Ms Ciesla said the department instead promised them a security fence, but they haven't seen that yet.

A FACS spokesperson said they "understand the concerns" of the Lloyd St tenants.

"FACS has responded by installing fencing which will help the situation," the spokesperson said.

They said the fence, and "security lighting" had involved a "significant amount of expenditure".

But Ms Ciesla said the gate, which does not lock, had done nothing to stop intruders, and was often left open when she woke early in the morning.

"It's an insult," Ms Ciesla said. "I've been coming out in the morning and the gate's open."

Ms Ciesla said one resident, in her 80s, had stopped going to weekly social gatherings after her home was broken into twice.

She said she was too frightened to return home at night in case an intruder was in her house.

One resident's car had its battery stolen three times, while others had been torched or stolen and written off.

Another resident, Marlie Allan, said while the new sensor lights might deter some intruders, she didn't feel enough had been done to protect the units.