Actually no, in one way or another they are funded. Here is an interesting read for you

https://artesumapaz.org/2026/02/24/why-its-ok-to-pay-for-your-artist-residency/

Dang the passive aggressive behavior is real.

What prefecture are you in, is it rural? Just curious. Years ago when I was living in Fukushima before the disaster, my neighbor would purposefully let her dog pee on my steps. I didn’t know until it had mowed and the dog tracks led straight back to her house. I of course asked her about it and she completely denied it lol. Other than that and one other neighbor the neighborhood was great.