Inside Melbourne’s 'Skid Row' in wealthy neighbourhood

A public housing block in a high-end Port Melbourne neighborhood has deteriorated into a dangerous, neglected "skid row," creating a hostile environment for both its impoverished tenants and the surrounding wealthy community.

• Extreme decay — The building is crumbling, infested with needles, and plagued by crime, leading neighbors to demand its demolition [03:45].

• Resident hardships — Tenants describe a life of severe struggle and danger within the facility:

  • Personal loss — A resident lost her one-year-old child to lung disease while trying to cope with the squalid conditions [05:11].
  • Physical violence — Individuals report being stabbed multiple times and feeling vulnerable to constant, predatory attacks [15:43].

• Systemic neglect — Infrastructure remains broken and unmaintained, while government agencies provide only vague, bureaucratic responses to the crisis [17:30].

• Cycle of resentment — The stark wealth gap between residents and their neighbors fosters mutual hostility and a feeling of being abandoned by the system [18:25].

• What plans exist for the future of the housing block?

• What support services are currently offered to the residents of the building?