I stayed at Simon's apartment for five months. For me it was the price and the location. From the apartment to Copacabana side of the beach is a twelve minutes decent. Theirs a lift that takes up. Every Thursday its down so you will have to walk up and down. The down is easy no so much for the up. I think its about the equivalent of a five story climb.not including the two story to get to the base from the street. If you have any type walking issue this might be the best option for you.
The apartment itself was cool. Basically a studio loft.The pictures that are posted are probably a few years old.There was a mold issue that I took care on the curtains and walls. Because of the way favelas are constructed water can sometimes seep though the walls causing mold.Weather sealing the inside of the apartment would do the trick.
The heating unit in the shower should be replaced because it lukewarm at best. I workout so It wasn't a issue for me. I never contacted Simon about this because to me it was unimportant. I felt safe inside and there code of conducts which is zero Torrance.
Simon was great and helped me with every problem I had which was mainly how things work in the favela and some internet issues.
Pros
Location,price and a million dollar view.
Cons
Kids with guns and I mean guns semi and semi automatic
The military sweeps trough at least twice a week always early morning and usually depart around eleven. so you will be running into soldiers at some point. There isn't a relationship between the residents and the military so it would be wise not to start one.
The chances of you being in the wrong place at the wrong time jumps considerably higher.
With the new president saying the military will have the right to shoot to kill anyone seen with a handgun you make the call.

For an American the answer is simple. Would you stay a few nights in pubic housing in the states? If the answer is no then you certainly wouldn't do it here. I was brought up in public housing and this a completely different beast.