Hamilton Hill Apartments

Once part of Hamilton Hill’s suburban landscape, the two-block apartment complex on Holland Street became one of Fremantle’s most infamous public housing sites before being demolished in September 2020. Originally intended to provide affordable accommodation, the complex sadly became known for chronic neglect, poor living conditions and persistent social issues in its final years.

The complex was home to both public housing tenants and private renter, many of whom paid market rate, despite deteriorating conditions. Media reports throughout the 2010s highlighted issues of vandalism, crime, drug use, and squatting. Headlines dubbed it the “Freo Slum,” showing disturbing scenes of broken windows, trashed units and residents struggling to feel safe in their own homes.

Government agencies acknowledged the problems but were slow to act, with a staggered approach of moving tenants out and leaving units empty and boarded up. By 2016, some blocks had been demolished, yet antisocial behaviour lingered, with nearby residents reporting ongoing theft and violence. The remaining tenants, many of whom were law-abiding and simply trying to make ends meet, were left stuck in a cycle of uncertainty.

In 2020, the final two apartment blocks were finally cleared and demolished. For some, it marked the end of an era of neglect. For others, it highlighted long-standing issues in Perth’s approach to public housing. Today, the site remains a vacant block of land but the debates around housing affordability, maintenance and tenant dignity remain more relevant than ever.