Once more unto the breach, he tells himself. Let us try one more time.

Mr Ransome is employed by social inclusion organisation Reclink as an on-the-ground manager for programs run at the notorious public housing sites throughout Reid and Braddon. Broadly, his job is to build relationships with Ainslie Avenue residents and government agencies then help them build relationships with each other. He talks, listens and runs activities and events. Mr Ransome is on-site during business hours, but discretely passes out his mobile number in case anyone needs help after hours, too.

Mr Ransome loves his job because he loves people, and he does love these people. Usually, they love him back. In a recent evaluation of the ACT government's high density housing program, conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology, he was described variously as a positive force, a father figure and a saviour.

The report authors noted that many residents were dealing with serious mental illness, disability, and/or issues associated with long-term drug abuse. They found it difficult to trust other people, the report said, because of their past experiences and trauma. But Mr Ransome, the earringed, empathetic angel of Ainslie Avenue, had broken through.

“I wish all people were like him," one resident told an interviewer.

"It’d be a better world.”

The Ainslie Avenue flats are close to Canberra's city centre in physicality alone. The institute's report detailed incidents involving samurai swords and dog attacks, heroin, ice and syringes. Indeed, a laundry program introduced by Reclink was later suspended following a suspected homicide and a bomb blast.

The ACT government funded Reclink to build a sense of community, link residents with services and reduce crime. And a recurring theme throughout the report was the impact of Mr Ransome; how Reclink's presence at the site and continued activities - including weekly lunches, community gardens, regular walks and wood workshops - had changed their lives.

Out of respect, one drug dealer refused to sell if Mr Ransome was on site, one resident reported. People behaved a little better. Some residents had re-entered the education system with Mr Ransome's guidance. Others simply felt more secure.

"Even the old people have been saying to me that they can actually go out now and feel a bit safer taking their rubbish to the bin," one resident said.

Another resident added: "He just knows everyone and everyone respects him, whatever sort of person they are, you know."

Asked to describe his role, Mr Ransome paused.

“I’m a facilitator,” he said.

“Maybe an educator. A carer. A supporter. I’m a friend. I’m a link.” Another pause. “The role is unbelievably varied - you’ve got to be a hardarse one day and then give someone a hug the next.”

Residents weren't always so forthcoming - and things are still often difficult. Mr Ransome described a lonely few months when he first started working at the flats in May 2009; chilly mornings spent waiting for residents to say hi. It took about two years to build trust, he said.

It was a process learned through trial, error and persistence.

The former electrician has always been passionate about helping people, he said, a trait inherited from his beloved dad. And Mr Ransome could scarcely survive without it. Monday to Thursday is filled with activities and programs. On Friday, it's the little things - and sometimes the big. Lost identification. Pet rats with ulcers. Help filling prescriptions. The translation of bureacratese in the documents some residents must fill out to maintain their government payments or mental health support.

"I go ‘yep, ok, we’ll work something out’," Mr Ransome said.

"There’s never a dull moment."

Ultimately, the Australian Institute of Criminology's evaluation found although crime persisted on Ainslie Avenue, the introduction of Mr Ransome had led to a reduction in assaults, property damage and disturbances. Reclink's programs were directly linked to the prevention of 71 assaults between 2009 and 2015. Some residents suggested drug use may have decreased because people had found more meaningful ways to spend their time. Others cursed continued issues with substance abuse and associated problems, which sometimes posed risks to Mr Ransome and residents.

The institute found the program returned at least 42 to 51 cents for every $1 invested. And that was only in savings to the justice system.

“All of the residents described having a good relationship with [Mr Ransome] and suggested that he was the main reason that they would continue to participate in the [high density housing program]," the report found.

"Some even suggested that, were he to leave, they too would leave the program, which poses issues in terms of longer-term sustainability.”

Justice Minister Shane Rattenbury said the government-funded, multi-agency program showed "with the right supports in place, we can limit social isolation and marginalisation, bring people together, and promote community safety and wellbeing".

"In supporting some of our more vulnerable communities to become more resilient, we know that we can decrease and even prevent crime taking place, improving the safety and overall wellbeing of residents through this program," he said.

A Justice and Community Safety Directorate spokeswoman said the government had made a suite of adjustments to the program since the institute's evaluation and would continue to make improvements. A Community Services Directorate spokeswoman said although three Ainslie Avenue complexes had been sold, the remaining four were not part of the government's public housing renewal program.

Mr Ransome, for his part, sang the praises of Heron cleaning contractors, Housing ACT managers, ACT Health, former ACT Health Minister Simon Corbell and especially Nova Inkpen from the Justice and Community Safety Directorate.

Each day is different. Each day is hard in its own way. After work Mr Ransome goes home, stares at pictures of his beloved daughter, and prepares for another day.

"It’s not easy, that’s the truth," Mr Ransome said.

"I think I focus on there’s going to be someone who needs a hand tomorrow. It drives you to do what you need to do."

Once more unto the breach.

Reclink is collecting blankets and warm clothes for Ainslie Avenue residents. Anyone with donations can contact emily.baker@fairfaxmedia.com.au.